The Effect of Partner Massage in Labor on Pain, Anxiety and Birth Process

Primary outcomes

1. Pregnant Introduction Form

   Time frame: in active phase on labor (4 cm and less vaginal dilatation)

   The pregnancy information form, which was prepared by the researcher following a literature review, consisted of 18 questions about some socio-demographic characteristics of pregnant women (age, education level, social security status, etc.) and their obstetric characteristics (gestational week, problems during pregnancy, etc.),

2. Labor Monitoring Form

   Time frame: in labor and in the first 24 hours postpartum

   This form was developed by the researcher following a literature review. It consisted of five items about the practices applied to pregnant women during labor (interventions applied during labor (forceps, vacuum, etc.)) and the characteristics of the newborn in the postpartum period (Apgar score, newborn weight, etc.),

3. Partograph

   Time frame: in active phase on labor (4, 5-6, 8-9 cm vaginal dilatation)

   This is a tool used to assess the progress of labor and the health status of the fetus. It is used from the active phase of labor. It visualizes the progress of labor; cervical dilatation, the level of the fetal head, the frequency and duration of uterine contractions, fetal heart rate, the presence of amniotic membrane, and the color of amniotic fluid are evaluated and recorded on a graph paper Its central feature is a graph used to record the progress of cervical dilation, as determined by vaginal examination.

   Indicators are plotted on the graph each time they are checked:

   • Maternal indicators:

   • Time of spontaneous or artificial rupture of the membranes
   • Uterine contractions (number per 10 minutes and duration)
   • Drugs administered (oxytocin, antibiotics, etc.)
   • Foetal indicators:

   • Foetal heart rate
   • Amniotic fluid (colour, odour and quantity)
   • Descent of the foetal head and head moulding

4. Visual Analog Skala-VAS

   Time frame: in active phase on labor (4, 5-6, 8-9 cm vaginal dilatation)

   The VAS was first developed by Price et al. (1983). The VAS is used to measure perceived pain. 10 cm, which says painlessness at one end and the most severe pain at the other end. On a (100 mm.) ruler, the patient describes his or her pain by drawing a line, pointing, or pointing. The length of the distance from the point where there is no pain to the point marked by the patient is measured in centimeters and the numerical value found shows the severity of the patient's pain.

5. Spielberger State Anxiety Scale

   Time frame: in active phase on labor (4, 5-6, 8-9 cm vaginal dilatation)

   It was developed by Spielberg et al in 1970. It was adapted into Turkish by Öner and Le Compte in 1983 (Öner & Le Compte, 1983; Özusta, 1995). The state anxiety scale is a scale that determines how an individual feels at a particular moment and situation. It requires the individual to answer the feelings or behaviors he/she experiences in his/her situation by marking one of the options such as (1) Not at all, (2) A little, (3) A lot and (4) Completely. The state anxiety scale consists of 20 statements. The score obtained from the scale can vary between 20 and 80. A large score indicates a high level of anxiety, and a small score indicates a low level of anxiety. In the scoring made in accordance with the criteria directive, 0-19 points are evaluated as "absent", 20-39 points as "mild", 40-59 points as "moderate", 60-79 points as "severe" and 80 points as severe anxiety (Dönmez, Yeniel, & Kavlak, 2014).

6. Assessment of Satisfaction Scale

   Time frame: in the first 24 hours postpartum

   This scale was adopted by the researcher from the "Visual Analog Scale (VAS)", which individuals can easily understand [35]. The VAS helps measure some variables numerically, which is not possible otherwise. This scale was used to evaluate the satisfaction of the women in the study group with the massage application and the labor process. The numbers between 0 and 10, which were intended to indicate the point corresponding to the satisfaction status, were placed on a vertical line. A score of 0 on the scale indicated "not satisfied at all", while a score of 10 indicated "very satisfied."