Effect of ice pack application on pain intensity during active phase of the first stage of labor among primiparaous

Abstract

Labor pain management is one of the main goals of maternity care. Ice application or cooling has been claimed to be as an effective, safe and non-invasive adjuvant mean for providing pain relief during the first stage of labor. Aim of the study: To evaluate effect of ice pack application on pain intensity during active phase of the first stage of labor among primiparaous. Research design: None-randomized-controlled clinical trial research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at labor and delivery unit of El Shatby Maternity University Hospital affiliated to Alexandria University. Subjects: Convenience sample of 80 pregnant women attending the previously mentioned setting were recruited in the study. They were equally divided into ice application & control groups. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection, namely: Tool (I): Pregnant women basic data structured interview schedule, Tool II: Visual Analogue pain intensity scale (VAS) & Tool III: Present Behavioral Intensity Scale (PBIS) Tool IV: Satisfaction visual analogue scale (SVAS). A high statistically significant difference was observed between the study & control groups in relation to their pain intensity using VAS before and after the intervention (P ≤ .000). In addition, another high statistically significant difference was detected between the study group & control groups in relation to their behavior of labor pain (P = .000) before & after 30 as well as 60 min of intervention. Based on the study findings, it could be concluded that the application of ice pack application during active phase of first stage of labor appeared to have a remarkable effect on labor pain intensity. In service training programs for nurses in labor units about the utilization of non-pharmacological approaches is recommended.