The effect of nipple stimulation on the latent phase of labor, on the progress of labor

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of nipple stimulation on the latent phase of delivery in pregnant women.Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, data on 200 pregnant women admitted to Taleghani and Az-zahra Hospitals of Tabriz city with diagnosis of latent phase of delivery were completed and a questionnaire was completed for subjects. Participants were divided into two groups (nipple massage) and control. The intervention group was advised to perform a nipple stimulation (with two fingers) when the uterus was loose and to cut with uterine stiffness or the onset of contraction. The women were placed in one or two beds room in the latent phase. And the nipples were massaged continuously. The control group was also given standard and routine recommendations. Data were analyzed using SPSS22 software.Results: The results of the study showed that the dilatation rate in women with nipple stimulation was significantly higher than the control group. The status of the fetal station was also significantly different in the mothers who received nipple stimulation. In addition, latent phase duration in the intervention group was significantly lower than the control group and nipple stimulation had a significant effect on decreasing latent phase duration in pregnant women. Induction of Oxytocin nipple stimulation was also significantly lower in women than in controls. Otherwise, neonates born to the mothers of the intervention group had not significantly higher Apgar score than the control group.