BACKGROUND:
In theory relaxation practices during labour should mitigate perceived pain. However, empirical evidence regarding their effectiveness on reducing epidural use remains inconclusive. Investigating women's experiences with relaxation techniques during labour, alongside their use of epidural, may provide further insights into these conflicting results.

OBJECTIVES:
To investigate women's experiences regarding the impact of relaxation practices on labour pain and the utilisation of epidurals, following attendance at an antenatal relaxation class (ARC).

METHODS:
An exploratory sequential mixed-method design was used. Phase 1 explored the experiences of women using qualitative interviews. Phase 2 was a prospective longitudinal cohort study using online surveys completed before and after attending ARC and post-birth.

RESULTS:
Of the seventeen women interviewed in Phase 1, all fifteen who experienced labour reported using ‘relaxation for labour pain’ enhanced their ability to cope with labour pain, resulting in satisfaction and pride. However,the effectiveness of these practices in influencing epidural use depended on the 'space for relaxation' shaped by the physical surrounding, clinical context, and birth attendants. Among the ninety-one women who completed the surveys in Phase 2, both the 'intended use of epidural' post-class and the 'actual use of epidural' post-birth were significantly lower than pre-class reporting. Women whose labour started spontaneously reported using relaxation techniques at home to manage pain, which led most to delay hospitalisation until labour was established.

CONCLUSIONS:
Educating and enabling women to use relaxation practices can enhance their ability to cope with labour pain and reduce use of epidural for pain management.

KEY MESSAGE:
Relaxation techniques taught for labour pain management significantly enhanced women's ability to cope with labour, reduced intended and actual epidural use, and encouraged delayed hospital admission—especially when labour began spontaneously. However, the effectiveness of these techniques was influenced by the environment, clinical setting, and support from birth attendants. Poster session 2 (Group A)