Effects of Abdominal Breathing on State Anxiety, Stress, and Tocolytic Dosage for Pregnant Women in Preterm Labor

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of abdominal breathing on state anxiety, stress and tocolytic dosage for pregnant women in preterm labor. METHODS: The participants were 60 pregnant women in preterm labor who were hospitalized from April to July, 2009. Thirty participants were assigned to the experimental group and 30 to the control group. None of them had any other complications except preterm labor. The modified Mason's breathing technique was used with the experimental group 3 times a day for 3 days. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire and chart review, and analyzed with the SPSS 13.0 WIN program. RESULTS: "State anxiety of the experimental group will be lower than that of the control group" was supported. "Stress of the experimental group will be lower than that of the control group" was supported. "The Ritodrine dosage for the experimental group will be lower than that of the control group" was supported. "The Atosiban dosage for the experimental group will be lower than that of the control group" was supported. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that abdominal breathing is an effective nursing intervention for pregnant women in preterm labor.

Ritodrine in the treatment of preterm labour: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Results on the effect of ritodrine in the treatment of preterm labour are different all over the world. Therefore, a concrete conclusion cannot be drawn from a single randomized control trial (RCT). In this study, we selected a large number of RCTs worldwide on the treatment of preterm labour comparing ritodrine and placebo or magnesium sulfate and by applying meta-analysis, evaluated the effect of ritodrine in the treatment of preterm labour. METHODS: We searched and identified 20 RCTs about ritodrine versus placebo, and ritodrine versus magnesium sulphate in the main medical data resources (MEDLINE, PubMed, CBMdisc, Cochrane Library and EMBASE) from January 1970 to December 2001 published in English and Chinese literature. We abstracted data about delay of gestation, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, severe neonatal respiratory system diseases, perinatal deaths, and administration to contraction-ceased interval, etc. RESULTS: The odds ratio (OR) of 1 day (d) delay in 10 RCTs on ritodrine in preterm labour versus placebo was 2.95 (95%CI 2.15, 4.04), and OR of 2d delay was 1.91 (95%CI 1.49, 2.45), both differences were statistically significant. There were no significant difference on the OR of birth > or =37 wk, birth weight > or =2500 g, severe respiratory morbidity and perinatal mortality. The OR of 2d delay of four RCTs from abroad on ritodrine versus magnesium sulphate was 1.56 (95%CI 0.62, 3.94), and OR of 7d delay was 1.45 (95%CI 0.80, 2.62), both without significant difference. But the combined estimated rate difference (CERD) of side effects interruption rate was 12 per cent with significant difference. There were six Chinese RCTs on ritodrine and magnesium sulphate. The OR of 1d delay was 3.95 (95%CI 1.98, 7.88), and OR of neonatal death was 0.45 (95%CI 0.22, 0.93), both with significant difference. The average administration to contractionceased interval were 2.5 and 6.3 h, respectively, with CERD being -4.2 h. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: In treating preterm labour, ritodrine can significantly prolong a short interval more quickly but with relatively more side effects than magnesium sulphate. Stratified RCTs for different gestational ages and different labour stages should be designed for further study.