Background: Labor pain is an unpleasant experience of women’s life. Non-pharmacological pain relief methods help parturient to cope with pain. Aim of the study was to investigate the effect of localized warm versus cold compresses on pain severity during the first stage of labor among primiparous.
Design: Quasi-experimental, pre-test and post-test control group design.
Sampling: A purposive sample of 180 parturient women was recruited and equally allocated into three groups (localized warm compresses, localized cold compresses, and control group) 60 women each.
Setting: This study was conducted in the labor unit of Obstetrics and Gynecological department, Benha University Hospital.
Tools: Five tools were used for data collection; a structured interviewing questionnaire, partogragh chart, visual analogue scale, pain behavioral observation scale, and women’ satisfaction regarding the utilizing intervention questionnaire.
Results: After applying the intervention at 6 cm, 8 cm, and 10 cm cervical dilatation, there was a significant reduction in mean pain scores of warm compresses group compared to cold compresses and the control groups (p ≤0.001), a significant increase in mean pain behavioral observation scores of warm compresses group compared to cold compresses and control groups (p ≤0.001). The warm compresses group was more satisfied with the intervention than cold compresses group (p ˃ 0.05).
Conclusion: Localized warm and cold compresses were effective in reducing labor pain, duration of the first stage of labor compared to the control group and increased women' satisfaction, warm compresses is more effective than cold.
Recommendation: Localized warm or cold compresses should be applied routinely for reducing labor pain severity and increasing women' satisfaction during the first stage of labor.
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