13 Jun 2024

Kiwi researchers find VR headsets help women in labour manage their pain 

From Nine To Noon, 9:25 am on 13 June 2024
Image of a woman wearing a VR headset while sitting on a couch.

Photo: Pixabay

A New Zealand study out this morning has found virtual reality headsets can help ease pain and anxiety for women in labour.

Nineteen women were given VR headsets with four relaxing scenes they could "escape" to, including being underwater with dolphins and on a beach. Participants in the study reported virtual reality as been an effective form of distraction, particularly in the early stages of labour. 

Lorna Massov is a midwifery lecturer at Victoria University's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice and is the lead author of the research.