How Do Women and Domestic Animals Share Parturition Pain? A Systematic Review

Parturition is associated with pain in all mammals, yet our understanding of this physiological process differs considerably between women and animals. In women, parturition pain has been extensively investigated, whereas in domestic animals it remains poorly characterized, despite its potential implications for maternal welfare and neonatal outcomes. This systematic review aimed to evaluate evidence on physiological pain during natural parturition in domestic animals and to compare it with that reported in women using observer-based assessment methods. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 31 March 2026. Eligible studies assessed parturition pain using behavioural, physiological, or biochemical indicators. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria (18 animal, 11 human studies). In domestic animals, most investigations focused on behavioural and endocrine responses associated with dystocia or postpartum discomfort rather than on the intensity of intrapartum pain itself. The strongest evidence of severe pain during the expulsive phase was reported in goats and sows. In women, observer-based assessment methods were limited and heterogeneous. In conclusion, the available evidence is consistent with a nociceptive component of labour across species; however, it remains insufficient to quantify physiological parturition pain in most domestic animals or justify routine analgesic treatment solely on welfare grounds. The development and validation of species-specific multidimensional tools for parturition pain assessment should therefore be considered a research priority.