Objective:

To identify the practice of non-pharmacological methods implemented for the relief of the pain of childbirth in a university hospital, the reasons that led to using them and their degree of satisfaction.

Material and method:

Cross-sectional study developed with 586 post-partum women in a university hospital in the south of Brazil. Data were collected from February to September 2016, from the registry of compendi-ums, from books of prenatal care, and a structured questionnaire applied 12 hours after childbirth. A descriptive analysis, using SPSS version 18, was carried out.

Results:

Non-pharmacological methods best known by women were: the shower (83.1 %) and wandering (81.4 %). In the university hospital 55.5 % of the women received guidance/information on these methods. The most widely used was the shower (66.6 %). The most exposed reason was the decrease in the intensity of pain in childbirth/pain relief work (71.8 %), 89.4 % consider that the use of the method brought them benefits, and for 79.9 %, the level of satisfaction was greater than or equal to 7.

Conclusion:

The use of non-pharmacological methods is effective for pain relief. It is important to empower and inform pregnant women about the strategies available for the relief of pain during labour, so that they can at that time, in conjunction with health professionals, choose the best option.

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