[Comparing the health status of women with wanted and unwanted pregnancy]

Unwanted pregnancy can have negative impacts on maternal health. The aim of this study was to compare the health status of women with wanted and unwanted pregnancies in Kerman, Iran. This case-control was performed on women with wanted [100 cases] and unwanted pregnancies [100 cases] whom refered to health centers in Kerman, Iran during 2010. The tool for data collection included a demographic questionnaire, short form 36 health survey [SF36] and a researcher-made pregnancy's physical health. Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were assessed initially prior to study procedure. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-16, Chi-Square, T Student and Mann-Whitney tests. Women with unwanted pregnancies had lower scores for physical and mental health, vaccination and supplement consumption, prenatal care and personal health than women with wanted pregnancies [P<0.05]. Women with unwanted pregnancies had more complications and high risk behavior compared to unwanted pregnancies [P<0.05]. This study indicated that unwanted pregnancies are accompanied with physical and mental health. Thus, special counseling and extra care measures is recommended during unwanted pregnancies. Pregnancy

[ effect of massage on intensity of pain during first stage of labor]

Labor and birth are two important aspects of human life. At the same time, labor pain is a serious concern for every pregnant woman, Massage as a non pharmacological techniques is a way to overcome this difficulty. Research findings demonstrate that massage has especially positive effects in reducing not only pain, but also stress. Our study has been conducted to determine the effects of massage on intensity of pain during the first stage of labor in primiparous women who have attended Isfahan Shahid Beheshti hospital in 2005. In this randomize clinical trial, a total of 75 primiparous women in 38-42 week of low risk pregnancy were randomly divided in 3 groups. First group received 20 minutes of back effleurage massage at the periods of 4-5 cm, 6-7 cm, 8-10 cm, cervical dilation. An emotional support was offered for second group in the same duration of time and the same cervical dilation. Third group just received routine care during labor. In all groups, pregnant women were asked to evaluate their severity of pain before and after intervention. Data being obtained through the visual analogue scale, check list and inspection form. Study result demonstrated that intensity of pain was significantly lower in massage group [p< 0.001]. Intensity of pain in supported group was consistent during 4-5 cm dilatation period and 8-10 cm but during 6-7 cm period there was an increase in severity of pain. In routine care group severity of pain increased in every stage. Receiving back massage is more effective than supporting and routine care for relieving labor pain

[Effects of massage on delivery satisfaction in primiparous women referring to Ayatollah Shaheed Beheshti hospital in Isfahan]

Delivery is one of the most important events in a woman's life with a lifelong remembrance. The negative aspects of this event may have diverse emotional effects for the woman and her family. Therefore, facilitating labor has been recently gained great concern and labor satisfaction has been considered as a significant indicator in quality care of maternal units. This clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of massage on satisfaction of primiparous women delivering at Ayatollah Shaheed Beheshti Hospital in 2005. 75 women were randomly selected and divided into 3 groups namely massage, support, and routine-care. Effleurage back massage lasted 20 minutes was given to the experimental group in 3 dilatation stages during and after contractions. Interventions including support and routine care in the other two groups also lasted 20 minutes. An observation checklist and information forms were used for data collection and content validity was used for validating them. Results showed that rates of satisfaction in the 3 groups had significant difference with no significant difference between support and routine-care group. The difference of satisfaction, however, between the massage group and routine-care group as well as support group was significant. According to the findings, it seems that massage has some effect on delivery satisfaction of primiparous women