Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between birth weight and the labour pain experienced by primiparae.
Methods: All primiparae who gave birth at the Department of Obstetrics, Herning Central Hospital, from 1 September 1998 to 30 April 1999 completed a visual analogue scale on the second day after delivery. Pain was scored in the first, second, and "repair" stage of labour, and lastly a score was assigned for overall assessment of labour.
Results: A total of 139 primiparae were entered. The mean age was 27 (range 16-40) years and the mean birth weight was 3562 (range 2400-5050) grams. There was no relation between birth weight and pain score. Nor was there any relation between pain score and maternal age, body mass index, duration of the second stage of labour, or the need for instrumental delivery. The score in the stage of perineal repair was significantly lower than in the other stages of labour.
Conclusion: The pain experienced during labour in primiparae is not influenced by birth weight.