[Impact of acupressure on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy]

Nausea, vomiting and retching, commonly experienced by women in early pregnancy, have considerable physical and psychological effects on pregnants. This study aimed to examine the effect of acupressure on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. This single-blind clinical trial was performed on 150 pregnant women [<16 weeks of gestation] referred to Naghavi prenatal clinic for seven days and at two research stages during 2010-11. They were randomly divided into three groups: the acupressure, placebo acupressure and control groups. At first stage, women received no treatment during the first 3 days and on next 4 days a continuous pressure was applied on the P6 point at both wrists using a sea-band in the acupressure and placebo groups. The control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected by the self-trained women themselves using Rhodes index which then were analyzed statistically. There was no statistically significant difference among three groups in age, marriage age, gestational age, occupation and satisfaction with spouse. Although the mean change in Rhodes index was not significantly different between the acupressure and placebo groups, the difference was significant between the control and the other two groups. Acupressure using sea-band is considered as a noninvasive, inexpensive, safe, and effective treatment for the nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

[Relationship between women's quality of life and type of delivery]

Controversies results in quality of life associated with the type of delivery have been reported. This study was performed to determine the relationship between Women's Quality of life and type of delivery. This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 300 women that referring to health center in kashan city during 2007-08. The women were divided in two groups according to the type of delivery whether it was cesarean section or vaginal delivery. Special life quality questionnaire, 2 and 4 months after delivery was completed by women. Scores of aspects in 2 and 4 months after delivery were determined and compared between two groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 software, Chi-Square, independent t-test, pair t test and Mann-U Whitey test. Findings showed no differences in aspects of quality of life between cesarean section and normal delivery groups except in 'Mother's satisfaction toward delivery' that results showed higher score 2 months [p=0.03] and 4 months [p=0.018] after normal delivery. Scores of this aspect in 2 months after normal delivery and cesarean section was [4.40 +/- 1.11, 3.76 +/- 1.16] and in 4 months after normal delivery and cesarean section was [4.13 +/- 1.40, 3.82 +/- 1.22] respectively. This study showed there was not significant difference in women quality of life between cesarean section and normal delivery 2 and 4 monthes after delivery

norm of women two anthropometric indices in Isfahan

Two simple anthropometric indices are Waist Circumference [WC] and Waist to Hip Ratio [WHR] for estimating body fat distribution. Especially in recent years these methods are emphasized compared to other methods, because they are cheap, easy to use at home or health centers, easy to calculate and high measurement accuracy. The present research is conducted to determine the norm of women WC and WHR, since there is no estimation and figure in regard with indices in women reproductive ages of Isfahan. This is a descriptive study, in which data collecting is cross-sectional. The samples are 740 people in Isfahan.They were selected by clustering sampling and invited to 10 health centers in this city. In this research the evaluation instruments are questionnaire and standard meter tape. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software and descriptive statistical methods. Results indicated that the mean, median and standard deviation of women [19 to 53 years] WC were X=84.62, median=84 and SD=10.32, respectively, the minimum and maximum of women WC were 60 and 126 cm, respectively. Also the mean, median and standard deviation of women WHR were X=0.82, median = 0.82 and SD=5.91, respectively. The minimum and maximum of women WHR were 0.63 and 0.99, respectively. Therefore, the norm of women WC index in Isfahan is 84 cm and the norm of their WHR is 0.82. Comparing the determined norm of women WC and WHR indices in Isfahan to the determined norms in other countries, it shows genetic, racial, geographical and environmental [physical activities and diet] differences. Women are encouraged to take exercises and be more active. Also, we recommend them to improve meal patterns and their diet