[Effect of Quran citation during third trimester of pregnancy on severity of labor pain in primiparas women: a clinical trial]

Objective [s]: To investigate the effects of Quran reading during third trimester on severity of labor pain in primiparas women

Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial. A sample of primiparas women attending a prenatal care centre in hospital, entered into the study. They were randomly allocated into two groups: the experimental group [n=41] included women who they were reading Quran from third trimester of pregnancy to normal spontaneous delivery [at least 30 times] whereas the control group [n=46] received routine care only. Severity of pain were determined by visual analogue scale in three cervical dilatation of 3-5, 5-8, 8-10 centimeter and second stage

Results: In all 87 women took part in this study. There were not differing between two groups in baseline characteristics. There were significant differences in severity of pain score between two groups in cervical dilatation of 3-5, 5-8, 8-10 centimeter [P=0.001, P=0.003, P=0.023 respectively] but there was no significance difference in severity of pain score in second stage [P=0.368]

Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the use of Quran reading is an acceptable and non- medical strategy for reducing the pain during labor at the first stage of delivery

[Prevalence, characteristics and factors associated with menstrual headaches in students]

Headache is a common complaint in women of reproductive age, and sometimes occurs only during menstruation. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and characteristics of headaches associated with menstruation in university students. Nine-hundred and four women university students were selected through multistage random sampling. Headaches starting 2 days before menstruation and continuing till the end of the menstrual periods were defined as headaches associated with menstruation. The prevalence and severity of menstrual headaches and associated clinical manifestations were recorded. Mean age of participants was 21 +/- 3.5 years. Prevalence of menstrual headaches was 14.2 percent, 79.7 percent had moderate to severe headaches that caused disruption of daily activities in 4.8% of individuals. Associated symptoms included: irritability, nausea, pulsatile headache, photophobia, increased sensitivity to sounds and loss of appetite. A strong association was found between menstrual headache and the following factors: amount of menstrual hemorrhage, painful menstruation and its severity, PMS and the presence of menstrual headaches in sisters and mothers of the participants, [p<0.05]. Females with BMI higher than normal were more prone to menstrual headaches. The high prevalence of menstrual headaches underscores the need for effective intervention

What happens to sexuality of women during lactation period? A study from Iran

To compare the association of sexual activity and breastfeeding women within 2-6 months after child birth. This study was carried out in 2007. The sexual activity of 258 breastfeeding women was compared with 198 bottle-feeding women referred to a public maternity health care center in Tehran. Women in the age of 20-35 years were enrolled in the study after their first or second child and 2-6 months after birth. A self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Women were interviewed face-to-face by the first author. Of 456 respondents, 258 were currently breastfeeding and 198 were bottle feeding. Mean age of the mothers was 27 +/- 4.7 years. About 28.3% of breastfeeding women and 22.9% of non breastfeeding women had sexual intercourse within one month of postpartum period. No significant difference was found between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding women on sexual desire and satisfaction before pregnancy and in postpartum period [p: 0.1, p: 0.5].The orgasm experience did not have a significant difference between the two groups during postpartum [p: 0.4]. We did not find significant difference in sexual activity between breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women. Sexual history taking and counseling in antenatal class as well as postpartum period are suggested for the clients

[ study of the relationship between sexual activity and breastfeeding]

Longterm breastfeeding is an important factor for women. Reverse effects of breastfeeding regarding sexual activities have been reported. However, the impact of breastfeeding, along with sexual activity of women during postpartum, is a debatable matter. This effect remains unknown in many societies such as Iran. Sexual activity during breastfeeding from women has not been studied. This study was carried out to compare the association of sexual activity of breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women within 2-6 months after birth. In this historical cohort study, which was carried out in 2007, the sexual activity of breastfeeding women was compared with 198 bottle-feeds women, who were referred to a public maternity health care center in Tehran. Women were recruited within the age of 20-35, being their first or second child and in 2-6 months after birth. A self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Women were interviewed face-to-face by the first author. Of 456 respondents, 258 were currently breastfeeding and 198 were bottle feed. Mean age of the mothers was 27 +/- 4.7 years. 28.3% of breastfeeding women and 22.9% of non breastfeeding women had sexual intercourse within the one month of postpartum period. There was no significant difference between the time of resumption of sexual activity and being breastfeed or not [p<0.07]. Also, no significant difference was found between breastfeeding and bottle-feed women on sexual desire and satisfaction prior to pregnancy and in postpartum period [p<0.1, p<0.5]. In 49/8% of breastfeed and 43.3% of non breastfeed women, sexual desire was decreased and also in 32.6% and 33%, sexual satisfaction was decreased respectively. The orgasm experience did not have a significant difference between the two groups during postpartum [p=0.4] so that 65.7% of breastfeed women and 64% of non breastfeed women reached orgasm in postpartum period. We did not find a significant difference between breastfeeding and non breastfeed women. Sexual history taking and counseling in antenatal class as well as postpartum period are suggested for clients