The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not differences in the incidence of low back pain exist between Hispanic women with and without epidural analgesia at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. The research subjects were selected using a sample of convenience from the labor log book of a local intercommunity hospital. Any Hispanic woman experiencing her first birth without a prior history of back pain was eligible for participation. A phone survey at 6 weeks and 6 months provided the data. The sample size was 36 clients.; There were no significant differences in pain perception between epidural and nonepidural groups, both at 6 weeks and at 6 months postpartum. However, the pain perception for women over 30 was significantly greater than the younger group. Implications for nursing, in terms of patient teaching, and recommendations for future research are addressed.
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