Evaluation of tools for describing patient responses to labor.

This study was an attempt to develop tools for assessing women's responses and attitudes relative to their labors. Two tools were developed, the Sturrock Labor Coping Tool (SLC) and the Retrospective Tool. A third tool, the Labor Analgesia and Anesthesia Dosage Score (LAAD) was also developed. The SLC and Retrospective Tool showed a correlation of .75 with each other, which was statistically significant at the .01 level. Scores on neither were influenced by the LAAD Scores. The SLC Tool and the Retrospective Tool when used in conjunction provided cross-validation of women's responses and attitudes relative to their labors and are thus recommended for further use. The LAAD Score provides a quick method of categorizing a parturient's medication dosage retrospectively. Use of these tools may have predictive value in determining those women in need of nursing intervention and support during their labors.