Effect of auricular acupuncture on postpartum rehabilitation of primipara with cesarean / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the postoperative effect of auricular acupuncture on primipara with cesarean in order to promote postpartum rehabilitation.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 primiparas with cesarean were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. The routine treatment and care after surgery were given in the two groups. On the basis treatment, auricular acupuncture was applied at penqiang (TF), shenmen (TF), jiaogan (AH), pizhixia (AT), neishengzhiqi(TF), pi(CO), wei(CO) in the observation group, even-needling technique at all points. The needles were retained for 30 min, 3 times a day, the acupuncture was alternately every other day for 5 days continuously. The postpartum pain, anus exhaust time, incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, urinary retention and constipation, and postpartum average hospitalization day were recorded and compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Twenty-seven cases of postpartum uterine contraction pain (45.0%), 25 cases of wound pain (41.7%), 19 cases of breast distending pain (31.7%) and 11 cases of muscle soreness (18.3%) in the observation group, which was significantly lower than 38 cases (63.3%), 36 cases (60.0%), 30 cases (50.0%) and 21 cases (35.0%) respectively in the control group (<0.05). The anus exhaust time in the observation group was earlier than that in the control group (<0.05), and the average hospitalization time was shorter than that in the control group (<0.05). The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, urinary retention and constipation in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Auricular acupuncture can effectively relieve postpartum pain in primipara with cesarean, promote postpartum exhaust and shorten hospitalization days, and reduce the incidence of postpartum complications such as postpartum hemorrhage, urinary retention and constipation, it is conducive to postpartum rehabilitation.

Hand reflexology's effect on level of pain among postpartum mothers

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">In every 10 seconds, there is a woman who is giving birth around the globe and what binds them is the pain that goes through with the birthing process. This study aims to determine effects of hand reflexology in reducing postpartum pain as measured by comparing pain level between control and study group after establishing comparability of the two groups based on age, parity, income and work status. Furthermore, this study explores the experiences of mother's postpartum pain after receiving an intervention. The results should give nurses an alternative means in decreasing postpartum pain. This study makes use of a pretest and posttest control group design with a qualitative data on the experience of pain after receiving an intervention obtained through interview among mothers within 24 hours post-delivery. Respondents were randomly selected wherein study groups (n=10) received a minute hand reflexology massage (ROM, pressure, thumb walking) while the control group (n=10) received to intervention. Pain level was measured using a numeric pain scale rating. Chi-square and pooled t-test was used to infer study findings. No significant difference was noted on the demographic profile in terms of age (p-value of 0.31), parity (0.36), income (0.65), and work status (0.61) between the study and control group thus variability of the respondents profile was controlled thereby reducing extraneous variables to affect study findings. Pain decreased significantly before and after in the study group (p value 0.01) but not in the control group (p value 0.21). Likewise, comparing study and control group did show significant result (p value 0.01). Qualitatively, a linear transition emerges from experiencing discomfort to comfort. Quantitatively, this study supports empirical evidence that hand reflexology massage is effective in reducing postpartum pain. Overall, respondents were satisfied and comforted with hand reflexology as an intervention. Further research on its longitudinal effect on relieving postpartum pain needs to be established after receiving an intervention.</p>