• Ida K Flink, Magdalena Z Mroczek, Michael J L Sullivan, and Steven J Linton.
• Center for Health and Medical Psychology, Department of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences - Psychology, Orebro University, Sweden. ida.flink@bsr.oru.se
• Eur J Pain. 2009 Mar 1; 13 (3): 312-6.

AbstractThis prospective study investigated how pain catastrophizing was related to labor pain intensity and physical recovery after childbirth. Eighty-eight women giving birth for the first time completed the first questionnaire before delivery. Eighty-two of those returned the second questionnaire after delivery. Participants were classified as catastrophizers (n=38) or non-catastrophizers (n=44) based on their scores on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Comparison of the groups showed that catastrophizers anticipated and experienced more intense pain (p<.0125) and had poorer physical recovery (p<.0125), measured as the level of self-reported functioning in activities of daily living, than non-catastrophizers. These results extend the association between catastrophizing and pain, to pain and recovery in childbirth and provide support for the fear-avoidance model. It is concluded that pain catastrophizing plays a role in the experience of pain in childbirth and postpartum recovery. Further research is needed to identify appropriate interventions for catastrophizing women during the latter part of pregnancy.

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