Pregnancy, Pregnancy Associated Analgesia, Progesterone Levels
Conditions
Brief summary
To investigate if labor pain is affected by mother's hormone levels. The hormonal effects of pregnancy are well documented. Although differences in pain sensitivity between women and men are partly attributable to social conditioning and to psychosocial factors, many laboratory studies of humans have described sex differences in sensitivity to noxious stimuli, suggesting that biological mechanisms underlie such differences. Some animal studies have suggested that sensitivity to pain decreases during pregnancy because of the progressive activation of endogenous pain inhibitory systems. This effect may be mediated by pregnancy-associated hormones, in particular progesterone.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
19 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* healthy pregnant women at term (\>37GA)
Exclusion criteria
* chronic pain * regular analgesic medication * severe cardiopulmonary problems * very difficult intravenous access * advanced labor * precipitous delivery
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in heat pain threshold and tolerance | 1 month |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed