Reducing First-Stage Labor Pain with Acupressure and Massage

Labor pain is recognized as a significant emotional and physical experience that could affect the mother's psychological well-being, the progress of labor, and fetal outcomes. It is primarily caused by uterine contractions, cervical dilation, and thinning. If unmanaged, excessive pain could lead to complications such as labor dystocia, uterine inflammation, and lack of cervical dilation.

A study published in Science Midwifery in 2024 investigated the effects of acupressure and back massage on reducing pain during the first stage of labor at Pratama Hadijah Maternity Clinic. The study included 40 mothers in the first stage of labor.

Before acupressure therapy, 18 mothers (90%) reported moderate pain, while after the therapy, 13 mothers (65%) reported mild pain. Similarly, before back massage, 16 mothers (80%) experienced moderate pain, and after the massage, 12 mothers (60%) continued to report moderate pain.

Statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in pain levels following both acupressure (p = 0.001) and back massage (p = 0.000).

Overall, the study concluded that both acupressure and back massage were effective in reducing labor pain during the first stage.

(Source: Science Midwifery, Vol. 12, no. 6, Jan. 2025, pp. 1891-0, https://doi.org/10.35335/midwifery.v12i6.1806)

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