Faeghe Deljoo Ghamgosar - MSc in Healthcare Design, School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Abbas Yazdanfar - Associate Professor in School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Neda Sadat Sahragard Monfared - Assistant Professor in School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Sanaz Litkouhi - Associate Professor in Tehran East Branch, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Aim: This study aims to extract the environmental strategies affecting pain control and labormanagement from the healthcare staff's point of view. Background: The physical childbirthenvironment has significant effects on mothers’ labor, but the direct influence of the environment onpain control and labor management has not been well studied. The current childbirth spaces provokestress interrupting the delicate neuro-hormonal influences that drive labor and birth. Methods: Thestudy was a descriptive-analytical survey conducted in four health facilities. The consideration madehere, based on the existing literature and deep interviews with midwives and obstetricians aboutenvironmental factors affecting pain control and labor progress, have led to the extraction ofenvironmental strategies. Thus a research project was carried out, using a structured questionnairefor the Pearson correlation test and exploratory factor analysis methodology selected. Results: Theresults indicate that the most important environmental factors which can affect pain control and labormanagement are “Optimal function (Eigenvalue of ۹.۳۱۱)”, “Facilities and decoration (Eigenvalueof ۵.۶۸۰)”, “A suitable environment for husband's presence (Eigenvalue of ۳.۸۸۰)” and “Mother'sprivacy (Eigenvalue of ۲.۷۳۱)”. Conclusion: The factors extracted from the healthcare staff's view,provide a calming environment reducing stress and supporting physiologic childbirth. In addition to"Optimal function" the most important factor, "A suitable environment for husband's presence" as asecondary factor affecting other three factors and affected by them, should be considered. It shouldbe noted that respondents' feedback may be influenced by their work pressure or to facilitate theirworkload.

Physiologic delivery, Environmental strategies, Healthcare staff, Labor management