Aim: This study aims to determine the effect of acupressure (SP6) on first stage of labor pain and duration. Methods: A single blind, randomized controlled experimental trial was conducted with 60 pregnant women: 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. At the active and transition stages of labor, acupressure was applied to the SP6 point of the experimental group, and the SP6 point of the control group was touched each contraction. The data were collected using the Pregnant Information Form. The Partograph Form was used to determine the duration of active stage and transition stage. The labor pain severity was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS) immediately after each acupressure/touch SP6 in active and transition stages. A participant questionnaire on satisfaction was administered in the immediate postnatal period. The group difference was tested for statistical significance using the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: As the primary outcome, labor pain was less and duration of labor was shorter for the experimental group. As the secondary outcome, satisfaction was increased that could be as a result of reduced pain in labor and/or shorter duration of labor. The perceived pain level in the active stage in the experimental group (n = 30) was less than the control group (n = 30) (labor pain: 7.17 + 0.89 vs. 7.66 + 0.71, p = .002). The mean duration of the first stage of labor in the experimental group was shorter than the control group (4.88 + 0.85 hr vs. 5.56 ± 0.66, p = .001). It was also found that pregnant women in the experimental group would recommend this method to other pregnant women (Chi-square = 5.711, p = .017). Conclusions: Application of acupressure on SP6 was found to have a positive effect on pregnant women's labor experience and reducing the labor pain and shortening the duration of first stage of labor compared to touch on SP6. The women receiving acupressure had higher levels of satisfaction in acupressure application than women receiving only touch on SP6, which could be as a result of reduced pain in labor and/or shorter duration of labor.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

INTRODUCTION Birth is a natural and joyful situation as well as a process that contains surprise situations that do not go well. Caregivers at birth are affected by this process. Especially when faced with difficult births, it can have an intense psychological effect and a perception of traumatic birth can occur. Although there is research about midwives on this subject, there are very few studies about students who are becoming midwives. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that affect the traumatic childbirth perceptions of midwifery and nursing students. METHODS The study was carried out with 480 students of midwifery and nursing. The data were collected by using a Personal Information Form, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale, Traumatic Childbirth Perception Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS The traumatic childbirth perception levels were very low in 7.3% of the participants, low in 26.9%, moderate in 37.9%, high in 21.5% and very high in 6.9%. The regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between traumatic childbirth perceptions and the parameters of satisfaction with the department studied, fear of childbirth, defining childbirth as a difficult and painful process, and history of complicated birth in the family. There was also a significant relationship between traumatic childbirth perceptions and the parameters of trait anxiety and general self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS Traumatic childbirth perceptions increased as the state and trait anxiety levels and self-esteem levels increased, while they decreased as the self-efficacy levels increased.

No abstract

Objective This study aims to determine the risk factors associated with striae gravidarum (SG) and chloasma melasma (CM) and their effects on the quality of life. Methods This descriptive and cross‐sectional study was carried out in Turkey with 1000 pregnant women at 36 weeks of gestation and above. Personal information form, Quality of Life (SF36) Scale, Skindex‐29 Scale, and MelasQoL‐TR questionnaire were applied to pregnant women. Besides, skin types of pregnant women were determined using Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification. Davey's score was used to determine the severity of SG. Results In the study, the prevalence of SG was found as 67.9% (n = 679), and the prevalence of CM 23.5% (n = 235). There was a significant relationship between young age, low education level, high BMI before pregnancy, history of SG in her previous pregnancy, family history of SG, and development of SG in pregnant women (p = 0.001). There was a significant relationship between CM in her previous pregnancy and family history of CM and development of CM (p = 0.001). The quality of life of pregnant women with SG was found to be lower than without SG (p < 0.001). The quality of life of pregnant women with CM was found to be lower than without CM (p < 0.001). Conclusions As a result, in the study, it was determined that young age, low education level, high BMI, history of SG in previous pregnancy, and family history of SG were risk factors for SG. The risk factors of CM, on the other hand, were found as the history of CM in the previous pregnancy and the family. It was identified that SG and CM have adverse effects on the quality of life.

No abstract