Comparison of the Effect of Mono-Stage and Bi-Stage Acupressure at Sp6 Point on the Severity of Labor Pain and the Delivery Outcome

One of the most painful experiences of women in life is labor. The use of non-drug methods for pain relief is on the increase. This study aimed to compare mono-stage and bi-stage acupressure at sp6 point on the severity of labor pain and the delivery outcome. This is a quasi-experimental single blind study from December 2010 to June 2011 in which 150 term pregnant women in labor pain were divided into 3 acupressure groups of mono-stage and bi-stage at sp6 point at 3-4 and 7-8 cm dilatation and control group. The intervention was carried out for a period of 20 minutes. Pain severity was evaluated before, immediately, 30 and 60 minutes after the intervention by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The pain severity after the intervention in 3-4 cm dilatation in the intervention group was less than that of the control group (P=0.001) but the two groups of intervention did not differ from each other (P=0.94). In 7-8 cm dilatation, the pain severity was reduced only in the bi-stage intervention group (P=0.001). The duration of the 2nd stage and the rate of Cesarean section was lesser in the intervention groups (P=0.022). Exerting pressure at sp6 point is effective in pain reduction, duration of labor and the rate of Cesarean section. Pain relief in bi-stage intervention was more than that of mono-stage. Therefore, it is used as an effective way to reduce maternal pain.