Authors (including presenting author) :
SOO WY, TANG KY, TAI SM, CHU SY, CHAU WPS, LO PY, LAU MH, CHAN TC, MAK KY, YEUNG A KM, CHUNG SF, LEUNG WC
Affiliation :
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital
Introduction :
Massage has been found to be related to relaxation and pain relief during pregnancy and childbirth. By facilitating upright position during massage, normal birth is more feasible and early skin-to-skin contact is more likely attainable. Antenatal massage class has been introduced in Kwong Wah Hospital since September 2014. It serves women with gestation of 36 weeks or onwards, aiming at low risk group. Theory and massage techniques for relaxation and pain relief are taught. From January 2018, practical part of massage class was enriched by introducing additional massage method.
Objectives :
(1) To identify effectiveness of the revised massage program on relaxation and pain relief; (2) To investigate influence of massage on normal birth and skin-to-skin contact
Methodology :
A survey was performed by distributing self-developed questionnaires to all postnatal women who have attended the antenatal massage class before discharge; Data of delivery mode and early skin-to-skin contact was retrieved from HA Clinical Management System. The result was compared with those not attending the class in 2018
Result & Outcome :
Results: In 2018, there were 128 women attended the classes with 108 delivered. Of 72 returned questionnaires, 68 were valid for analysis. From the result, all women were able to master the skill learned (73.5% able to and 26.5% partly able to). All women claimed that massage was effective in promoting sleep (22.1% slightly effective, 77.9% effective/very effective) and in relieving back discomfort (19.1% slightly effective, 80.9% effective/very effective) during pregnancy. During labour, 90.6% found effective in relaxation (12.5% slightly, 78.1 % effective/very effective) and 87.1% in pain relief (6.5% slightly effective, 80.6% effective/very effective). Overall effectiveness of massage was 82.4%. The rate of normal birth and early skin-to-skin contact is respectively 8.8% and 12.4% higher in massage group than in the non-massage group. Conclusions: Antenatal massage was helpful in reducing backache and promoting better sleep, whereas massage during labour facilitates normal birth and early skin-to-skin contact. A positive birth experience is thus promoted. Antenatal massage class, with enough practical section, is valuable. Midwives, being normal birth advocates, are worth to equip themselves with massage techniques in order to provide quality care, contribute to an empowered, therapeutic healthcare environment which in turn to improve clinical outcome and achieve a mother-baby friendly hospital for childbirth.
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