Interventions
Pain, pain
DILATION
Infrared belt: Infrared belt used in this study was made of tourmaline ceramic stones (79 pieces) with dimensions of 135 × 18 cm and a weight of 1.85 kg (Fir Bio Photon Led Light Electric tourmaline heating waist belt, Liaoyang Conoval Technology Co, China). This belt is capable of working 8 h/day with a temperature range of 37–70 °C, which was used with a temperature range of 38–40 °C, wave length of 850 nm and an intensity of 15 mW/cm2 in this study. The validity and reliability of this belt were confirmed in Bu Ali Research Institute, Mashhad, Iran, by a laser thermometer (Extech, USA) at room temperature of 25.5 °C and with an IR camera (TESTO, Germany).Hot water bag: A silicone bag with a cloth cover filled with warm water. First, the water bag was filled with desired-temperature water. Afterward, the water temperature was set at 38–40 °C by placing a mercury thermometer between the bag and the cloth cover. The reliability of the hot water bag was determined at each use by a mercury thermometer placed between the hot water bag and the cloth cover.In intervention group 1, pain intensity in cervical dilatation of 4–5 cm was measured with the short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire. Before the intervention, the temperature of infrared belt was adjusted, and then, was fastened around the women's waist lying on the left side for 20 min. During the intervention, the fetal heartbeat was being monitored. After 20 min the belt was unfastened and the pain intensity was measured again. The researcher performed a vaginal examination every hour. The second cycle of intervention started at dilation of 6–7 cm and was performed for 20 min. The pain intensity was measured again at the end of this phase. Afterward, the researcher measured the labor pain severity at the end of the first stage of labor (10 cm dilation of the cervix).In intervention group 2, pain intensity was measured in cervical dilatation of 4–5 cm using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire. The intervention was performed in two 20-min cycles with a hot water bag. First, the hot water bag, covered with a cloth cover, was filled with hot water and its temperature was set at the range of 38–40 °C by placing a mercury thermometer between the hot water bag and the cloth cover.Subsequently, while the mother was lying on her left side, the researcher placed the hot water bag on her waist (dilatation of 4–5 cm) for 20 min. At the end of 20 min, pain intensity was reassessed using the McGill questionnaire. The fetal heart rate was monitored during the intervention. The second cycle of the intervention was performed at a dilation of 6–7 cm for 20 min, at the end of which the pain intensity was evaluated again. Afterward, the researcher measured the labor pain severity at the end of the first stage of labor (10 cm dilation of the cervix).In the control group, the researcher was present at the delivery bed from cervical dilatation of 4–5 cm and performed routine care. The pain intensity was measured using the McGill questionnaire in the cervical dilatations of 4–5 cm and 6–7 cm and at the end of the first stage of labor.The researcher was present at the delivery bed of patients in the three groups until the end of the second stage.