The Effect of Virtual Reality Glass During Labor Process on Labor Pain, Birth Perception and Anxiety

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effect of showing images of the fetus to the pregnant women with the virtual reality glass during labor process on labor pain, birth perception and anxiety level. Background: Virtual reality (VR) is an effective and inexpensive method that allows the creation of simulated scenarios in which it interacts with the virtual environment with multisensory stimuli. Methods: This is a randomized controlled experimental study. The study included 100 pregnant women of whom 50 in the intervention group and 50 in the control group. Ultrasound images of the fetus were recorded on the 28th week of pregnancy of the women in the intervention group. These images were shown to the women with the virtual reality glass during labor process. Routine procedures were carried out for the women in the control group. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was applied to both groups when cervical dilatation was 4 cm and 9 cm. The Women's Perception for the Scale of Supportive Care Given During Labor (POBS) and the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) were applied almost two hours after labor. Keywords: Virtual reality, labor, pain, anxiety.