Effect of Acupressure at Hugo Point (LI4) On the Process and Outcomes of Labor in Nulliparous Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of MCH, Department of Medicine, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.

2 B.Sc.Department of Medicine, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Different studies have emphasized the effects of the acupressure on labor and delivery, so its effects are as important as medical and midwifery factors. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of the acupressure at Hugo point on the process and outcome of labor in nulliparous women.
Methods: This quasi- experimental study was held on 100 nulliparous women who were admitted in Social Security Hospital of Ardabil city for delivery from October to March of 2010. 50 women were located in the case group (acupressure group) and 50 women in the control group (placebo group). The acupressure group received acupressure at Hugo point (between the thumb and index finger) but placebo group received acupressure at points other than Hugo point on two hands. This intervention was performed during contractions and in 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm cervical dilatation for 20 minutes. Then, duration of active phase, the second stage of labor, need for oxytocin during labor, labor pain intensity at the end of the first and second stage of delivery, Apgar score of neonates at first and fifth minutes , kind of delivery, mothers' satisfaction of delivery experiences, and onset of breast feeding were recorded. The gathered data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software version 12, chi-Square, T, and Mann Whitney tests. P value less than 0.05was considered statistically significant.
Results: The results of the study showed that acupressure at Hugo point reduced the length of delivery (p<0.001), need for augmentation with oxytocin (p<0.001), labor-pain intensity at the end of first and second stage (p<0.001), cesarean section (p=0.026), significantly increased mothers' satisfaction of delivery experience (p=0.006), and early onset of breast feeding (p=0). Duration of second stage (p>0.05), Apgar score of first and fifth minutes were not significantly different in two groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Acupressure at Hugo point improves many outcomes of labor such as: length of delivery, need for augmentation with oxytocin, labor-pain intensity, cesarean section, mothers' satisfaction of delivery experience, and breast feeding. Therefore, it can be used in normal deliveries without any complications.

Keywords

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