The effect of ice pressure applied on large intestinal 4 on the labor pain and labor process.

Purpose: This study was designed as an experimental controlled study, aiming to identify the effect of ice massage with short duration (40 min) and long duration (80 min) applied on Large Intestinal 4 (LI4) acupressure point on labor process and perception of labor pain.

Methods: The participants, who met the research criteria according to the results of power analysis, were 72 healthy pregnant women divided into experiment and control group.

Results: Results show that ice massage applied on the LI4 region was effective in the 80th minute. Moreover, in terms of the effect of ice massage on labor duration, the application was found to reduce the labor duration of the women in the experimental group approximately 1 h on average.

Conclusion: It was found that the ice massage applied by midwives on the LI4 point during the active phase of delivery could reduce pain and shorten the delivery duration.