The Effect of Psycho-Education Intervention Based on Relaxation Methods and Guided Imagery on Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnant Women

The present study aims at evaluating the effects of psycho-education based on relaxation methods on Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG).

This is a quasi-experimental study, with pretest and posttest design, which was carried out on 100 pregnant women with complaints of nausea and vomiting who had referred to general health centers to receive pregnancy care. In accordance with the specified content, women in the intervention group received 3 sessions of psycho-education based on relaxation methods for a week. Four weeks after the end of education and before the 16th week of pregnancy, data were gathered from both the intervention and control groups using the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Vomiting and Nausea (PUQEN) scale. Data were analyzed with the aid of statistical tests.

There was no significant difference between the average values of HG in the intervention group and the control group prior to the intervention. However, after receiving psycho-education, the average value of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women of the intervention group (5.11 ± 1.60) was significantly lower than that in the control group (6.00 ± 1.66) (p = 0.035).

The psycho-education based on relaxation methods of this study had a positive and significant effect on reducing the intensity of HG. It is helpful to integrate the educational content of this intervention in the caring programs of pregnant women with nausea and vomiting.