IN A surprising turn of events, a New Zealand study in PLOS ONE found that virtual reality (VR) headsets might just be the new epidural.
Nineteen brave new mothers donned VR headsets during labour, allowing them to escape to serene beaches, exciting safaris, and dolphin-filled underwater scenes.
The result was they were so distracted by the virtual worlds that they almost forgot they were in labour.
The new mums did report some minor drawbacks, like the headsets feeling as heavy as a toddler on their heads, and the awkwardness of being in their happy place, while their support team was left in the real world.
But, despite these quirks, almost all of the women said they would use the VR headsets again, and even recommend them to others.
The study was designed to see if VR could provide natural pain relief during labour, and it turned out to be a virtual success.
The women reported that the VR experiences were a fantastic way to manage pain and anxiety.
One mum even joked that she was so engrossed in her virtual beach vacation, she half expected a waiter to bring her a pina colada.
In conclusion, the study highlighted that VR was not only effective but also provided some much-needed comic relief during labour.
So, next time someone is going to hospital in labour get them to pack a VR set, as labour might the ultimate staycation.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 14 Jun 24
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