Introduction: Systemic opioids and massage therapy are widely used for pain relief ‎during labor. The aim of this study was to compare between massage and intramuscular pethidine (meperidine) for ‎pain relief in the stages of labor and the length of labor.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 120 pregnant women referred to valiasr ‎hospital in Broojen, Iran in 2012. Subjects were randomly allocated into three groups of ‎massage, intramuscular pethidine and standard care. Data were collected using interview forms, observation and examination. Pain intensity was measured using ‎visual analogue scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and ‎descriptive statistics, ‎ paired t-test, chi-square, ANOVA, Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Pain intensity showed significant ‎differences between the three groups, 30 minutes after the intervention and pain intensity was lower in the massage group than other groups (p=0.001). Intensity of uterine contractions showed significant ‎differences between the three groups and it was lower in massage group than other groups (p<0.0001). There was no significant differences in duration of the ‎first (p=0.086) and the second stages (p=0.295) of ‎labor in all groups.
Conclusion: Massage and intramuscular pethidine ‎reduced pain during labor, but massage therapy provided more persistent pain relief and without ‎any side effects. Massage therapy is a safe, effective and inexpensive intervention and it can be used for pain relief ‎during labor.