Identification of the effect of ice pressure applied on large intestinal 4 in hands during the first stage of labor on the labor pain and labor process

The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of ice pressure applied on Large Intestinal 4 (LI4) acupressure energy meridian area on women's perceptions of labor pain as well as on the labor process. The study, designed as pre-test post-test controlled, was conducted in the delivery room of Adana Maternity and Children Hospital. Target population of the study is all pregnant women at first stage labor who consulted to the hospital between 1st of November 2012 and 1st of February 2013. The participants, who met the research criteria according to the results of power analysis, were 72 healthy pregnant women divided into one experiment (n=36) and one control group (n=36). The data were collected using "Pregnant Women Identification Form", "Inspection Form about Labor", "Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)" and "Partograph". In the active phase of labor, the women in the experimental group were provided with ice massage on the LI4 area on both hands throughout contractions until the 80th minute. However, the women in the control group were not provided with any interference except for the routine clinical practices. At the beginning of the study, both experimental and control groups were administered the forms; and the labor duration and progression were identified using "Inspection Form about Labor" and "Partograph". VAS was administered to both groups before the ice practice, and in the 40th and 80th minutes after practice. Results show that ice pressure applied on the LI4 point on pregnant women's hands was not effective in reducing pain in the 40th minute, but it was found to be effective in the 80th minute (p=0,001). Moreover, in terms of the effect of ice pressure on labor duration, the practice was found to reduce the labor duration of the women in the experimental group approximately one hour on the average (p<0,05). Hence, it was found that the ice pressure applied on the LI4 area by midwives in the active phase of delivery could reduce pain and shorten the delivery duration.