Background and purpose: Pain relief and reducing the interventions during labor is an essential aspect of obstetric care. Acupressure is one of the methods that is used to reduce pain and facilitate delivery. This study was designed to investigate the effect of acupressure before the onset of labor on the use of analgesics and oxytocin in term nulliparous women.

Materials and methods: In this clinical trial, 162 pregnant women without any symptoms of labor were randomly divided into three groups: acupressure, sham acupressure and control group. The subjects were selected from Shahid Akbar Abadi Hospital in Tehran, 2015. Acupressure was performed in the Sp6, BL32, and BL60 at 39-40 weeks of gestation in low risk participants. They were then followed during labor. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 22.0 applying Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA.

Results: The use of analgesics during labor in the acupressure, sham acupressure, and control groups were 30%, 42%, and 50%, respectively and the Kruskal-Wallis test did not show a significant difference between the groups (P = 0.122). The use of oxytocin was 54% in the acupressure group, 58% in sham acupressure, and 78% in those who received routine care indicating statistically significant differences between the three groups (P = 0.028). The use of oxytocin was found to be lower in acupressure group compared with other groups.

Conclusion: Acupressure before labor decreased the consumption of oxytocin during labor. So it could be beneficial in decreasing interventions during labor.

(Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT2015042321904N1)

Background and purpose: Gestational diabetes (GA) is a common complication associated with perceived stress. Patient’s commitment for self-care induces much stress in routine life which requires appropriate coping styles. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between self-care behaviors and coping strategies in women with gestational diabetes.

Materials and methods: A predictive correlational study was done in 400 women with gestational diabetes attending the clinics and health centers affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Mashhad, Iran, 2015. Data was collected by recording the participants’ personal information, using self-care questionnaire retrieved from Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA), and Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOC; Folkman & Lazarus). Data analysis was performed by Descriptive Statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients test, Liner regressions model, and Multiple regression.

Results: In this study, 312 women (78%) with gestational diabetes were using problem-focused coping styles and 261 patients (65.2%) had moderate levels of self-care. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant direct correlation between problem-focused coping style and self- care, (P<0.0001 and r= 0.21); but, there was no significant linear relationship between that and emotive-focused coping style (P= 0.200 and r= 0.06). According to Liner regressions model, only the problem-focused coping is considered as a predictor variable of self- care (P<0.0001, β= 0.345, and F= 20.140).

Conclusion: According to the findings, clinical staff, especially midwives can improve self-care behaviors in women with gestational diabetes by encouraging them to apply problem-focused coping strategies.