Abed Ebrahimi; Fatemeh Ghodrati
Abstract
Objective: Maternal mental health is one of the most important indicators of pregnancy health. Anxiety and stress affect maternal and fetal outcomes. The present review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of certain complementary medicine methods in reducing pregnancy anxiety. Evidence Acquisition: ...
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Objective: Maternal mental health is one of the most important indicators of pregnancy health. Anxiety and stress affect maternal and fetal outcomes. The present review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of certain complementary medicine methods in reducing pregnancy anxiety. Evidence Acquisition: Data source in this review was related to articles searched in local scientific databases and international databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar. Search for articles was done by using keywords of pregnancy anxiety, complementary medicine, acupuncture and acupressure, aromatherapy, spiritual therapy, and psychotherapy without any time limitations. At the end of the search, out of 165 obtained articles, 70 were reviewed. Exclusion criteria were irrelevant research studies, inadequate data in the study, lack of access to the full text of articles, animal studies, editorial studies, and reports. Results: Aromatherapy, acupressure, relaxation training skills, maternal, fetal, and neonatal attachment techniques, psychotherapy, and spiritual therapy have been employed in different studies to control pregnancy anxiety. These methods had significant and measurable effects on reducing and controlling maternal anxiety during pregnancy, and in some studies, they improved neonatal growth and development indices. Conclusion: The efficiency of complementary medicine along with the use of therapeutic techniques in classical medicine can provide a new model for reducing the anxiety of pregnant women. It is recommended that health care planners use this integrated, easy-to-use, cost-effective approach so as to reduce the anxiety of pregnant mothers.
Marzieh Akbarzadeh; Zahra Moradi; Azam Jowkar; Najaf Zare; Mohammad Javad Hadianfard
Abstract
Background: Pain, a common phenomenon, is an inevitable part of childbirth. A number of pressure points exist that reduce labor pain in the body.
Objectives: This study aims to compare mono- and bi-stage acupressure at the GB-21 point on the severity of labor pain and the delivery outcome.
Patients ...
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Background: Pain, a common phenomenon, is an inevitable part of childbirth. A number of pressure points exist that reduce labor pain in the body.
Objectives: This study aims to compare mono- and bi-stage acupressure at the GB-21 point on the severity of labor pain and the delivery outcome.
Patients and Methods: This quasi-experimental uni-blind study enrolled 150 full-term pregnant women who were experiencing labor pains. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: a) mono-stage acupressure applied at 3-4 cm cervical dilatation (n = 50), b) bi-stage acupressure applied at 3-4 cm and 7-8 cm dilatation (n = 50), and c) control group (n = 50). Acupressure intervention at the GB-21 point was carried out for a period of 20 minutes. The pain severity was evaluated before, immediately, and at 30 and 60 minutes after intervention by a visual analog scale.
Results: The pain severity after intervention in the 3-4 cm dilatation mono-stage intervention group was less than the control group (P < 0.001). However there was no difference between the mono- and bi-stage intervention groups (P > 0.05). In the 7-8 cm dilatation group, the pain severity was reduced only in the bi-stage in contrast with mono stage intervention groups (P < 0.001). The duration of the second stage and rate of cesarean section was less in the intervention groups (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Exerting pressure at the GB-21 point is effective in reducing pain, duration of labor and the rate of cesarean sections. Pain can be reduced in the mother by increasing the Frequency interference of intervention (One vs. two stages). Because this method is both inexpensive and reliable, we recommend its use to the medical team.
