Newborn Pain and Stress Levels in Oxytocin Induction at Birth

Purpose: To compare the pain and stress levels of painful stimuli in the early neonatal period in newborns with and without oxytocin induction.

H1: There is a statistical difference between the ALPS-Neo scores of the newborns of the group in which oxytocin induction was applied in labor and the group in which it was not applied.

H0: There is no statistical difference between the ALPS-Neo scores of the newborns of the group that underwent oxytocin induction in labor and the group that did not.

The data of the study were collected using the Pregnant Information Form, Neonatal Follow-up Form and Newborn Pain and Stress Assessment Scale (ALPS-Neo).

In the study, participants were divided into two groups: those with and without oxytocin induction, and the data were collected based on self-report. Newborn painful stimuli were discussed under 3 headings; drying process, first injection process and blood sugar measurement process. Before, during and after these procedures, data were confirmed and collected by one researcher and the other by an independent observer.

Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistic 29.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistical methods (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation) were used to evaluate socio-demographic data. It was used in comparative analysis of the data (chi square, t test, etc.). P value was considered significant at p<0.05.

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant at term,
• Giving birth vaginally,
• Birth weight ≥2500gr,
• Participants with a single and healthy fetus and their newborns

Exclusion criteria

• Mentally incompetent,
• Having a high-risk pregnancy,
• Those with risky newborns