Effectiveness of therapeutic showering in pain relief during the first stage of labor

Abstract

Introduction Pain prevention and effective control is emphasized as a priority for the obstetric unit’s humanization. The therapeutic shower it’s an easy-to-deploy non-pharmacological alternative whose effectiveness has not been recognized by nurses. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic showering for pain relief during the first stage of labor. Methods Quasi-experimental study with the following research question: Is the therapeutic shower effective in relieving pain during the first stage of labor? Convenience sampling (n=81) was used. Data were collected in the two maternity wards. Labor pain was assessed using a Numeric Scale before water application as a comparative standard of pain level before and after warm water application (immediately after, 10 and 20 minutes after). Data analysis was performed using SPSS®, v.27. Results Repeated measurement ANOVA showed statistically significant results. Contrast analysis between the first and second measurements revealed significant differences between the mean level of pain immediately and 10 minutes after water application. However, post hoc analysis revealed that after 20 minutes, the differences between the means were not statistically significant. Conclusion Therapeutic showering is effective in pain reduction immediately and 10 minutes after water application.

Keywords

• Hydrotherapy
• Labor Pain
• Pain Management
• Pain Measurement