IMPACT OF SELF-HEALING INTERVENTIONS ON PAIN INTENSITY IN WOMEN UNDERGOING ACTIVE FIRST-STAGE LABOR

Abstract

Background: Labor pain experienced during the active phase of the first stage of labor is often intense and can negatively affect the physical and psychological well-being of birthing mothers. Non-pharmacological interventions such as self-healing therapy are increasingly being explored as complementary approaches to labor pain management. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effect of self-healing therapy on pain intensity among women in the active phase of the first stage of labor. Methods: This experimental study employed a pre-test and post-test design involving 10 respondents selected through purposive sampling. Pain intensity was assessed before and after the intervention using a numeric rating scale. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test. Results: Prior to the self-healing therapy, 80% of respondents experienced moderate to severe controlled pain, and 20% experienced uncontrolled severe pain. Following the intervention, all participants (100%) reported a reduction in pain intensity to the moderate category. Statistical analysis indicated that self-healing therapy had a significant effect on reducing labor pain (p = 0.0003), with a t-value of 7.07. Conclusion: Self-healing therapy is effective in significantly reducing pain intensity during the active phase of the first stage of labor. This intervention may serve as an alternative non-pharmacological strategy for labor pain management in maternity care settings.