Abstract
Labor pain is a common complaint. The method used to reduce maternal discomfort should be efficacious and safe for the mother and the child. Several alternative methods have been reported to reduce childbirth pain. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of kinesio taping combined with breathing exercises on childbirth duration and labor pain. This study was conducted on 40 normal full-term primigravida women during the first stage of labor with regular painful, palpable uterine contraction, and cervical dilatation between 3 and 5cm. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups, group A and group B. Group A (the study group) consisted of 20 women, and group B (the control group) consisted of 20 women. All participants in both groups A and B performed breathing exercises in addition to conventional medical treatment. However, group A patients received kinesio taping at the lumbar region and anterior lower abdomen during the first stage of normal labor. Assessment of all participants in both groups A and B was carried out before and after the treatment program using visual analogue scale (VAS), cardiotocography, and by measuring the duration of the first stage of labor using a stopwatch. There was a nonsignificant difference between group A and group B in pain intensity using VAS in the first stage of labor at the first reading (cervical dilatation: 3–4cm). However, there was a highly significant difference between group A and group B in the pain intensity using VAS in the first stage of labor at the second reading (cervical dilatation: 7–8cm), favoring group A. Furthermore, there was a highly significant difference between group A and group B in the duration of the first stage of labor, favoring group A. These results suggest that kinesio taping combined with breathing exercise is an effective method in reducing labor pain and shortening the duration of the first stage of labor.
Highlights
IntroductionLabor is a physiologic process during which the products of conception (the fetus, membranes, umbilical cord, and placenta) are released outside of the womb
Labor is a physiologic process during which the products of conception are released outside of the womb
There was no significant difference between the two groups as regards their ages, BMI, and duration of pregnancy; their t values were 0.75, −0.997, and −0.433 and the P values were 0.45, 0.325, and 0.667, respectively
Summary
Labor is a physiologic process during which the products of conception (the fetus, membranes, umbilical cord, and placenta) are released outside of the womb. Labor is accompanied with alterations in the biochemical connective tissue characteristics and gradual effacement and dilatation of the uterine cervix as a result of rhythmic uterine contractions of sufficient frequency, loudness, and duration [1]. The onset of labor is characterized by regular, painful uterine contractions leading to progressive cervical effacement and dilatation. Cervical dilatation in the absence of uterine contraction suggests cervical insufficiency, whereas uterine contraction without cervical change does not meet the definition of labor [2]. Pain is felt at different locations, intensity, and quality for each woman. Experience of pain alters throughout the delivery process. Several alternative methods have been reported to reduce childbirth pain
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