Effects of LI4 Acupressure on Length of Delivery Time, Mothers’ Physiologic Responses and Newborn’s Apgar Scores

摘要

Introduction: Prolonged labor has been associated with cesarean delivery and low Ph cord blood. Furthermore, hemorrhage and infection, which are strongly associated with long labor, are leading causes of maternal death. Due to the importance of duration of labor, this study investigates the effects of Hego (LI4) acupressure on length of delivery time, mothers’ physiological responses i.e., respiration and pulse rates of mothers, and Apgar scores of newborns. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 100 pregnant women, who were at the beginning of active phase of labor (dilatation 5- 3)and had referred to Fatemiye educational and research clinic in Shahroud, were randomly assigned to either the LI4 acupressure (n=50) or LI4 touch control (n=50) group. The experimental group received LI4 acupressure at the onset of the active phase for duration of each uterine contraction over a period of 20 minutes but the control group received only LI4 touch. Length of delivery time was calculated in two stages: from 3-5 cm cervical dilation to full cervical dilation and full cervical dilation to the delivery. Pulse and respiration rates were measured before intervention, immediately after intervention, 20, 60 minutes after intervention and then each hour until delivery. One-minute and five-minute Apgar scores were also registered. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in length of delivery time. The total labor (3-5 dilation to delivery) was significantly shorter in the LI4 acupressure intervention group (P=0.038). Maternal pulse and respiration rates weren’t significantly different between the groups (P=0.711, P=0.108). There were no significant differences between two groups for neonatal Apgar scores at one and five minutes. (P= 0.2, P= 0.3). Conclusion: These finding showed that LI4 acupressure was effective for shortening the length of delivery time and had no side effects on mothers’ pulse and respiration rate or no newborns’ Apgar scores. Therefore, this safe, simple and modern technique which requires no cost and equipment can be used in maternity hospitals.