The Effect of Giving Ice Massage at the SP6 Point on Pain, Comfort, Duration, and Anxiety in Maternity Mothers

Abstract

Reducing pain, anxiety and comfort for mothers during childbirth is very important as part of caring for mothers and babies in midwifery services. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of giving ice massage at the SP6 acupressure point during labor on labor pain, labor comfort, labor duration and anxiety. The method used was cross sectional with a two group pretest and posttest design. The population and sample in this study were 50 women giving birth during the first active phase at PMB Affah who would be given ice massage treatment and 50 people at Prima Husada Hospital as the control group. The instruments used in this study were ice gel, VAS questionnaire to labor pain, STAI questionnaire to anxiety, CCQ questionnaire to labor comfort, partograph sheet and ice gell. VAS pain scores in the intervention group were significantly lower compared with the control group after intervention at 4 to 5 cm, 6 to 7 cm, and 8 to 9 cm dilatation (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.001). 003, P < 0.001, respectively). The CCQ total score and comfort level in the intervention group with cervical dilation of 8 to 9 cm were significantly higher than those in the control group (P = 0.044, P = 0.027, respectively). In addition, as pregnant women's anxiety levels increased, their total comfort scores decreased (P < 0.05). Application of ice to the SP6 point during the 1st stage of labor reduces labor pain, increases comfort, and reduces anxiety levels. No side effects were found in the intervention group with ice massage applied to the SP6 point. Therefore, this method can be used as a safe and effective obstetric intervention in childbirth.