Effectiveness of acupressure on Sanyinjiao point in relation to labor pain intensity & duration in the first stage of labor among primigravida mothers admitted in labor rooms in selected hospitals in metropolitan city

Background: Labor and childbirth, through natural processes, are often accompanied by severe pain and discomfort, impacting maternal satisfaction and outcomes. Effective pain management is essential to enhance the childbirth experience. Acupressure, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, applies pressure to specific points to balance energy flow (qi) and address various health concerns. The Sanyinjiao (SP6) point is commonly used to manage gynecological, emotional, and digestive issues, and it is hypothesized to reduce labor pain and duration. This study evaluates the effectiveness of SP6 acupressure in managing labor pain and duration among primigravida mothers in metropolitan city. Methodology: A quasi-experimental post-test-only design was employed in a selected hospital. Non-probability purposive sampling included 64 participants, equally divided into experimental and control groups. Data collection tools included demographic interviews, observational techniques, and the ESWADOPA pain scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Mann-Whitney U test, were used for analysis. Results: Acupressure significantly reduced labor pain intensity during early and mid-cervical dilation (3–6 cm) and shortened labor duration compared to routine care. Pain escalation was less frequent in the acupressure group, although differences at advanced dilation stages (9–10 cm) were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Acupressure is a promising non-pharmacological intervention for managing labor pain and duration, particularly during the early and middle stages of labor.