IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS) e-ISSN: 2320–1959.p- ISSN: 2320–1940 Volume 9, Issue 1 Ser. XII. (Jan - Feb. 2020), PP 01-08 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/1959-0901120108 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page Comparison of the Effects of Maternal Supportive Care and Acupressure on Labor Length and Cervical Dilatation Hend Ali Mohammed Abd El-Fatah 1 Prof. Sanaa Ali Nour 2 Prof. Inas Mohamed Abd Allah 3 Dr.Hamdy Ali Ali Hendawy 4 1 Assistant lecturer, Obstetrical& Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University. 2 Professor ofMaternity and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University. 3 Professor of Maternal & Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University. 4 Lecturer of Anesthesia and intensive care, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University. Corresponding author: Hend Ali Mohammed Abd El-Fatah- Maternal & Gynecological Nursing Department- Faculty of Nursing, Suez Canal University. Abstract: Supportive care, and acupressure are measures used during labor process to achieve better outcome, and provide the mother with a sense of confidence and control. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of maternal supportive care and acupressure on labor length and cervical dilatation. A quasi- experimental design was adopted in the delivery wards in the Suez Canal University and General hospitals. The study comprised a purposive sample of 126 parturient women that divided equally into supportive care, acupressure, and control groups. The tools of data collection were; a structured interviewing questionnaire, partograph. The results of the present study showed that there was a significant reduction in the mean length of the 1 st stage of labor in study groups compared to control group.There were a statistically significant differences among the supportive care, acupressure, and control groups in relation to the mean differences of progress of cervical dilatation at 2, 4, 6 hrs. (P<0.001). It can be concluded that supportive care and acupressure during labor reduce the length of labor and improve cervical dilatation. The study recommended that providing a support person with a mother during labor to improve the outcome, and training all the maternity staff on supportive care measures and acupressure. Key words: Supportive care, Acupressure, Labor length, Cervical dilatation --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 29-01-2020 Date of Acceptance: 14-02-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Birth experience is the physiological, psychological, and emotional changes that take place during pregnancy which help to prepare the woman for labor and birth. Normal labor is the process whereby painful, regular uterine contraction with progressive cervical dilatation and effacement accompanied by decent of the presenting part leads to spontaneous expulsion of a single, mature (37-42) completed weeks of pregnancy, alive fetus, through the natural passages, presenting by vertex, within a reasonable time, without fetal or maternal complications (Pillitteri, 2014). Prolonged labor results in anxiety, fear, and fatigue that lead to decrease the mother’s self -esteem and confidence. Also, it increases the probability of prenatal mortality, utilization of oxytocin, instrumental and cesarean delivery, neonatal birth injuries, asphyxia and neonatal death (Akbarzadeh et al., 2016). Shortening the duration of labor is an essential aspect of obstetric care and a highly desirable objective of intrapartum care for maternal, fetal, and the birth service providers. Slow progress of labor is a common clinical situation in obstetric practice, a longer duration of labor is associated with reduction the chance of spontaneous vaginal delivery and increasing the risk ofserious maternal or perinatal complications (Makvandi et al., 2016). The nurse can use measures to reduce the length of labor such as; acupressure which decreases the duration of labor also, applying supportive care measures which reduce the mean length of first and second stage of labor (Akbarzadeh et al., 2016; Chaillet et al., 2014). Acupressure is a technique which activates specific energy points on the body. It based on the concept that there are numerous channels of energy throughout the body called meridians. These meridians may become either blocked or over-stimulated. Maternity acupressure is used mainly to induce and ease the effects of labor by applying pressure on these energy channels, the blood flow is stimulated the baby to descend into the pelvis and get into the normal position for delivery, thus it stimulates the dilatation of the cervix, initiation of contractions, and reduction of labor pain (Abd El Hamid et al., 2018).