Effect of plantar reflexology on labor pain and childbirth experience: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of plantar reflexology on the severity of labor pain and childbirth experience (primary outcomes) and the duration of labor stages (secondary outcomes). METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial was performed on 90 women in Al-Zahra and Taleghani hospitals in Tabriz-Iran. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups; Intervention 1 (two 30-min massages at the effective point of pain for each sole), intervention 2 (one 30-min massage at the effective point of pain and one 30-min massage at the heel for each sole), and control (two 30-minute heel massages). Massage was performed once in 4-cm dilatation and the second time in 7-cm dilatation. The severity of pain and childbirth experience were measured by Visual Analogue Scale and Labor Agentry Scale, respectively. Partograph chart was used to measure the length of labor stages. RESULTS: The severity of pain in intervention group 1 was significantly lower than the control group (AMD: -1.7; 9% confidence interval: -2.8 to -0.6; p = 0.001), but there was no significant difference between intervention groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.066) and intervention group 2 and control (p = 0.336). A significant difference was observed between groups in terms of length of the third stage of labor (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of mean childbirth experience score (p = 0.217), duration of active phase (p = 0.099), and second stage of labor (p = 0.114). CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that plantar reflexology can reduce the severity of labor pain and the length of third stage of labor.

Comparing levels of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus in normotensive pregnant women and pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Vitamin D and calcium deficiency have been reported as one of the causes of preeclampsia. In this study, levels of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus were evaluated in 51 normotensive pregnant women and 52 women with preeclampsia at the gestational age between 28 and 36 weeks in Tabriz. Logistic regression and general linear models were used for comparing levels and means of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus between the two groups adjusting for education and Body Mass Index (BMI). The results showed that mean serum vitamin D (p = .73), calcium (p = .12) and phosphorus (p = .60) levels were not significantly different between the groups after adjusting for education and BMI. Based on this study, no relationship was observed between vitamin D deficiency and preeclampsia; however, it was seen that the hypocalcaemia could increase the risk of preeclampsia up to 8.5 times. Based on our results and the literature, it seems that further studies need to be done to provide more insights into this area.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Preeclampsia is one of the three leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the importance of preeclampsia, the causes and methods of prevention of this disease are still unknown. Deficiency of vitamin D affects the calcium balance of mothers and fetuses and has also been reported as one of the causes of preeclampsia disease. Reducing serum calcium can lead to increased blood pressure in preeclamptic women. Changes in calcium metabolism during pregnancy could be one of the potential causes of preeclampsia. Although the association of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus with preeclampsia have been discussed previously, the results are not consistent.What do the results of this study add? The results showed that mean serum vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus levels were not significantly different between the groups.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or future research? Based on this study, no relationship was observed between vitamin D deficiency and preeclampsia; however, it was seen that the hypocalcaemia could increase the risk of preeclampsia by up to 8.5 times. Based on our results and the literature, it seems that further studies need to be done to provide more insights into this area.