The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The effect of Knee- chest position on labor pain and Duration of labor in nulliparous women: a randomized clinical trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Tayebeh Sedighi Darijani 1
Sareh Mehni 2
Neda Dastyar 2
Azam Amirian 2
Akbar MehrAlizadeh 3
1 Assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran .
2 M.Sc. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
3 PhD of Statistics, Faculty of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2022.20709
Abstract
Introduction: Childbirth is not satisfactory for some women and is associated with pain, fear and suffering. The present study was conducted aimed to investigate the effect of Knee- chest position on pain intensity and duration of labor in nulliparous women.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed in 2020 on 100 nulliparous women admitted to the maternity ward in the south of Kerman province. Individuals were randomly divided into two groups of normal posture and Knee-chest position (n=50 in each group). For women who were in the Knee-chest position group, at the beginning of the active phase (dilatation 4cm), they were in Knee-chest position intermittently (for 15 minutes every hour) until the complete cervical dilatation. Data were collected by personal information questionnaire and pain visual scale and delivery progress form (partograph). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 26) and Independent t-test, chi-square and Fisher's exact test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: according to independent t-test, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, the mean pain intensity in the intervention group (Knee-chest position) was significantly lower than the control group (normal position) (p <0.001). Also, the progression of labor in the mothers of the intervention group was significantly faster compared to the control group; duration of delivery in the intervention and control groups was 4.48±1.04 and 7.16±1.7, respectively (p <0.001). The level of mothers' satisfaction with the position status during delivery process was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The Knee-chest position in nulliparous women during the active phase of labor is beneficial in reducing labor pain and accelerating labor progression. Therefore, it is recommended that this condition be used as a routine non-pharmacological care in maternity wards.
Keywords
Duration of labor
Knee-chest position
Labor pain
Nulliparous women
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 25, Issue 4
June 2022
Pages 18-26