The Effect of Dance and Massage Applied by Partners at Birth on Birth Pain, Comfort and Satisfaction

Pregnancy and the moment of birth are important processes that women will remember throughout their lives and will always leave a mark on their lives. Birth pain is expressed as the most severe pain that women experience throughout their lives (although there is no standard measure due to the combination of different factors). Labor pain; It differs from other types of pain in that it is part of the natural process, occurs within a limited period of time, and the mother willingly endures this pain due to factors such as reuniting with her baby at the end of the process. Due to the possible negative effects of labor pain on maternal and fetal health, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) accept labor pain as an indication that should be treated. recommends that this pain be taken under control. Different pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used to reduce labor pain. Advantages of non-pharmacological methods; These include reducing the rate of use of drugs and eliminating the risk of side effects, being easy and applicable to all individuals, and not imposing an economic burden on the individual.

Nowadays, non-pharmacological methods such as "massage, pilates ball, music therapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy" are widely used to manage pain during birth. Massage, which is among the non-pharmacological methods, is the oldest treatment and sensual stimulation method in the world. Massage is generally the first choice method because it has no side effects and is easy to apply. Studies have shown that massage applied during birth provides physical and psychological relief, reduces pain, anxiety, agitation and depressive mood, and increases maternal satisfaction. Determining birth satisfaction is important as it is an indicator of the health status of the mother and newborn as well as the quality of intrapartum care.

Birth dance is a combination of music therapy and freedom of movement methods, which is one of the non-pharmacological methods.

Birth dance begins in the active phase of the first stage of labor in order to reduce the pain perceived by the woman and to provide emotional support, and continues until the end of the first stage. The woman is given the opportunity to move rhythmically with someone she prefers (spouse/partner, mother, midwife, etc.), accompanied by relaxing light music. In addition to the music and body movements included in the dance, it is aimed to increase the effectiveness of the applied method by adding spouse/partner support and upright positions and at the same time to provide emotional support to the woman.