The effect of massage on physiological characteristics of pregnant women

Background and Aim : Delivery is potentially associated with stress. The stress and anxiety that a motherexperiences during childbirth, by stimulating the sympathetic nerves, leads to changes in vital symptomsthat may have adverse effects on maternal and neonatal health; the present study aimed to determine theeffect of massage on the physiological characteristics of pregnant mothers.Methods : This study was a single-blind and double-blind clinical trial on 142 first pregnant mothersreferring to Isfahan Heavenly Maternity Hospital in 1398. They had normal gestational conditions,including a full gestational age of 38- 23 weeks, singleton and cephalic presentation. The study units wererandomly divided into two groups of massage and usual care. The massage group (n = 72) received 30minutes of regular, firm and uniform massage using the Afflevaj method (active palm gliding) in the activephase of labor, in the back, legs or both, depending on the study unit s desire. The control group (n = 70)received only routine nursing care. In both groups, physiological characteristics (systolic and diastolicblood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse rate, and temperature) of the mother at baseline and in the activephase of labor (5-7 cm), before and immediately after 30 minutes of size intervention Recorded andrecorded. Data were analyzed using t-student and Mann-Whitney tests at the significant level P≤0.05.Results : All physiological characteristics of pregnant mothers showed a significant decrease in massagegroup after 30 minutes massage but only systolic blood pressure (P = 0.04) and respiratory rate (P <0.001)were significantly different.Conclusion : According to the results of this study, massage modifies the physiological characteristics ofthe mother during childbirth and can be used to relax the mothers.

کلیدواژه ها:

Massage ، PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS ، childbirth ، maternity ، Isfahan