Application of virtual reality technology combined with moderate perineal protection in natural childbirth.

Objectives: To explore the application effect of virtual reality (VR) combined with moderate perineal protection on singleton primipara delivery.

Material and methods: The study utilised a two-group design intervention and a randomised clinical trial. A total of 200 singleton primiparas who had a regular prenatal examination in a third-class hospital (between 1 September 2018 and 30 December 2018) and were willing to give birth naturally were randomly divided into treatment (traditional prenatal health mission combined with desktop VR health education system mode) and control (traditional health education mode) groups. The delivery conditions of the two groups were surveyed, recorded, analysed and compared.

Results: There was no significant difference in the time of the second stage of labour between the treatment and control groups, and the comparison of neonatal Apgar scores and neonatal weight between the two groups showed that the different modes of prenatal education had no effect on newborns (p > 0.05). The amount of postpartum haemorrhage in 2 h and the pain score in the treatment group were significantly lower than in the control group, and the degree of perineal injury in the treatment group was not as serious as that in the control group. Meanwhile, there was a statistically significant difference in the anxiety score, self-efficacy score and quality of life satisfaction between the treatment and control groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: VR technology combined with moderate perineal protection could improve the delivery outcome of a primipara, maternal self-confidence of delivery and the quality of vaginal delivery; effectively alleviate the anxiety of a primipara; have no adverse effects on both mothers and newborns; and be widely used in clinical settings.