Investigating the Effect of Acupressure on Initiation of Labor in Term Pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction Acupressure is one of the natural methods of labor induction, but a few studies have evaluated its effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acupressure for initiation of labor. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out in 2010 at Ganjavian Hospital in the city of Dezful, Iran. Eighty nulliparous women with uncomplicated pregnancy, singleton fetus at 40-42 weeks, bishop score 4 and without uterine contraction were randomly assigned to two groups of acupressure group and usual medical care (control group). The acupressure group received acupressure with special technique at Large Intestine 4 (Hego), Gall Bladder 21(Jianjing) and Spleen 6(Sanynjiao) points. Acupressure to delivery interval, acupressure to active phase interval, estimated date of delivery to delivery time interval and mean duration of active phase, second and third stages of labor were evaluated in each group. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi-square, Fisher's test, Kaplan-Meier and Repeated Measures test. Results: Compared to the women in control group, the women in the acupressure group were more likely to initiate labor (70% vs. 35%, p=0.002). There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of acupressure to delivery interval (p=0.004) and acupressure to active phase interval (p=0.04). Estimated date of delivery to delivery time interval was not significant (p=0.06). Mean duration of active phase, second and third stages of labor and mode of delivery was not different in the two groups (p 0.05). Conclusion: Acupressure enhanced the spontaneous labor and can reduce delivery time interval.

Keywords

• Acupressure
• Labor
• Term pregnancy.