A Quasi-Experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Foot Reflexology on Intensity of Labour Pain among Primigravida Mothers Admitted at Selected Hospitals of Mohali, Punjab

Introduction: Pain is a physiological component o f labour and birth. Pain is an unpleasant sensation of distress resulting from stimulation of sensory nerves. During the first stage of labour, pain results primarily from cervical dilatation and secondarily from the uterine contractions themselves. Painful sensations travel from the uterus via visceral afferent (sympathetic) nerves that enter the spinal cord through the posterior segments of thoracic spinal nerves. Human body can bear only up to 45 Del of pain. But at the time of giving birth, a woman feels up to 57 Del of pain. Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to assess the effect of foot reflexology on intensity of labour pain among primigravida mothers with view to promote the comfort of the primigravida mothers. Material and methods: A quantitative approach with quasi-experimental design was adopted. By purposive sampling Technique 60 primigravida mothers were selected. Data was collected by structured interview schedule and observation method. Analysis and interpretation was done by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In pre-test intensity of labour pain among primigravida mothers in experimental and control group In control group majority of the women had moderate pain 23(76.7%). In experimental group 20 (66.7%) had moderate pain. In post- test intensity of labour pain among primigravida mothers in experimental and control group. In control group majority of women had severe pain 27(90%). In experimental group most of the women had moderate pain 28(93.3%). Conclusion: It shows that after foot reflexology in experimental group most of the women were had moderate pain 28(93.3%), 2(6.7%) had severe pain and there was no woman in mild pain. In control group majority of women in post test had severe pain 27(90%), 3 (10%) had moderate pain no woman was in mild pain. Behavioural response was good in the reflexology group as compared to control group. In the present study, it was found that the primigravida mothers of experimental group had moderate intensity of labour pain after the intervention, but intensity of labour pain was more in control group. Behavioural response was good in experimental group as compared to control group. So it is concluded that foot reflexology was effective on intensity of labour pain among primigravida mothers. Though labour pain increases with increase in dilatation.