title: Non-invasive nursing technologies for pain relief during childbirth--the Brazilian nurse midwives' view.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to describe the non-invasive care technologies most frequently used by nurse midwives to relieve childbirth pain, and provide a synthesis of studies published by Brazilian nurse midwives on the use of such technologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  a systematic literature review focusing on the non-invasive pain relief strategies used by nurse midwives in Brazil. Surveys of three databases (BDENF, CINAHL and MEDLINE) were conducted between 2002 and 2012. The inclusion criteria were: (1) full-text article available; (2) published between 2002 and 2012; (3) written by Brazilian nurse midwives, and (4) fitting the descriptors: childbirth pain; non-invasive technologies; labour; and pain relief. For purposes of analysis, the technologies mentioned were classified into four main categories of support as they relate to environment, position, tactile stimulation, and energy level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  we located 21 scientific articles that met the inclusion criteria and addressed the non-invasive technologies that nurse midwives use to provide pain relief during labour. The technologies most used was: stimulation of breathing and relaxation; use of massage with essential oils; encouraging freedom to move, to walk and the free choice for vertical positioning; use of showers and baths; use of birth ball.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brazilian nurse midwives have made efforts to focus care during delivery on the parturient. By studying and publishing about the non-invasive care technologies they have strengthened de-medicalised knowledge, based on scientific evidence and good outcomes in pain relief during labour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the study presented ideas towards improved theoretical foundations and strategies for establishing practice consonant with humanised care.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Av. 28 de Setembro 157/7° andar, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: omcvargens@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Octavio M C
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Vargens
authors.forename: Alexandra C V
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Progianti
mesh_terms: D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009321:Natural Childbirth / Q000451:nursing*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: Childbirth; Labour pain; Non-invasive technologies; Pain relief