Perceived pain and anxiety before and after amniocentesis among pregnant Turkish women.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To examine maternal perception of pain and anxiety before and soon after midtrimester genetic amniocentesis.

METHODS

Two hundred and ninety-two women consecutive were prospectively included in the study between March and December 2002. Study variables included age, gestational age, gravidity, parity, educational history, history of previous invasive prenatal procedures, indication for amniocentesis and source of information regarding amniocentesis. Maternal pain and anxiety associated with performing amniocentesis were subjectively quantified with the use of the visual analog scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Actual pain after amniocentesis was significantly lower compared with perceived pain before the procedure (3 [0-10] vs. 5 [0-10], p < 0.001). Perceived anxiety before amniocentesis was significantly higher than perceived anxiety immediately after amniocentesis (7 [0-10] vs. 5 [0-10], p < 0.001). Women who were informed about the procedure beforehand perceived the procedure to be less painful and expressed less anxiety before and after amniocentesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-amniocentesis counseling should emphasize that the actual pain and anxiety experienced during the procedure are low in intensity and significantly lower than expected.