Pain Assessment

Required Reading

Reading from purchased books: 

· Read the sub-section entitled “Pain vs. Suffering,” in “Chapter 4: Comfort Measures for Labor,” The Birth Partner, pp.112-113

First: answer these questions and include them in your assignment:

· What is pain?

· What is suffering?

Then:

· Meet with a mother and specifically discuss a pain assessment.  (Assessment instructions included below.)

· Submit a written copy of the pain assessment.

· If you use any information outside of course materials, provide a reference.

Assessment should include:

· The mother’s previous experience with pain, this can include labor or other instances.

· What methods they use to cope with pain.

· What they expect the birthing team to do for the pain.