The comparison of the acupressure and pyridoxine effect on severity of both nausea and vomiting in primigravida women

Gastric disorders especially nausea and vomiting are the most common complaint during pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that nearly 20% of pregnant women visited physician for these problems. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of acupressure and Vit. B6 (pyridoxine) on reduction of nausea and vomiting in primigravida women. In a clinical trial study, 100 women with gestational age of 10-16 weeks and single fetus were randomly selected from primigravida women who referred to antenatal care centers of Ahvaz for nausea and vomiting. Then they were allocated to acupressure (n=50) or pyridoxine group (n=50). Treatment with acupressure or pyridoxine was carried out for four days. In acupressure group sea band was placed on the neiguan (p6) point of hand and in pyridoxine group, each patient had 40 mg of Vit. B6 every day. Severity of nausea and vomiting was recorded by each subjects. Data was analyzed by Chi-square, Manwithney, Wilcoxon and t-tests. Our results showed that nausea score and frequency of vomiting were decreased significantly by both treatments (p<0.001). Also acupressure was significantly more effective in reduction of vomiting frequency (p<0.001). The severity of nausea was not different in two groups. Our results showed that acupressure was more effective than Vitamin. B6 in treatment of pregnancy vomiting. Regarding the fact that sea band is cheap, comfortable, available and easily use, it is recommended to reduce vomiting in pregnancy