A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Abdominal Effleurage on Labour Pain During the First Stage of Labour among Parturient Women in Selected Hospitals, Kanpur

Abstract

Background: Labour pain is a multifaceted and intensely personal experience influenced by physiological, psychological, and emotional factors. While pharmacological interventions are widely used to manage this pain, they may be associated with undesirable maternal and neonatal outcomes. Non-pharmacological methods such as abdominal effleurage offer a safe, cost-effective, and empowering alternative to manage labour pain during childbirth.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of abdominal effleurage on labour pain during the first stage of labour among parturient women in selected hospitals, Kanpur.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 80 parturient women aged 20–30 years, selected through purposive sampling from Mariampur Hospital, Shastri Nagar, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Participants were divided into a control group receiving standard care and an interventional group receiving abdominal effleurage during the active phase of labour (at 6–7 cm cervical dilation). Pain levels were assessed using a structured observational checklist focused on non-verbal pain behaviours. The study utilized the General System Theory as the conceptual framework.

Results: The findings indicated a significant reduction in pain scores among women in the interventional group compared to the control group. Abdominal effleurage was associated with improved maternal comfort, reduced anxiety, and enhanced emotional well-being without the need for pharmacological agents.

Conclusion: Abdominal effleurage is an effective non-pharmacological technique for reducing labour pain during the first stage of labour. Its integration into routine maternity care can enhance the childbirth experience, promote maternal satisfaction, and reduce reliance on pharmacological interventions.