Virtual Reality in Labor and Delivery for Reduction in Pain

Virtual Reality in Labor and Delivery for Reduction in Pain

The purpose of this study is to identify whether use of virtual reality devices can improve the pain management of women in labor and delivery. The investigators will perform a randomized controlled trial of patients in labor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The purpose of this study is to identify whether use of virtual reality devices can improve the pain management of women in labor and delivery. The investigators hypothesize that use of virtual reality devices will result in a reduction in pain medication use, in epidural use, and prolong the duration of time prior to the patient receiving an epidural.

The study will be conducted as two parallel randomized controlled trials: one for latent labor patients and one for patients in active labor (defined by whether they are < 6 cm or > 6 cm). Within each phase of labor, there will be 20 in the Virtual Reality arm and 20 in the Control arm for a total of 80 patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Female
2. >18 years old
3. Pregnant with term gestation
4. Nullipara
5. Pain due to contractions rated from 4-7
6. Contractions at least every 5 minutes x 30 minutes preceding
7. Pain scores obtained at least every 60 minutes

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Parous
2. Use of intravenous medications for pain relief prior to the intervention
3. Use of an epidural
4. Preterm gestation
5. Pain not due to contractions
6. Pain score of 3 or below or 8 or above