Non-pharmacological therapies applied in pregnancy and labor: an integrative review

Terapias no farmacológicas aplicadas en el embarazo y el parto: una revisión integradora

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To identify non-pharmacological therapies applied during pregnancy and labor.

Method:

Integrative review conducted in the databases: PubMed, ScieLO and PEDro, searching for articles from 2008 in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The descriptors used were: pregnancy, childbirth, physiotherapy, alternative and complementary medicine, alternative therapy, non-pharmacological therapy, biomechanical therapy.

Results:

Forty-one articles were analyzed and subdivided into ten categories of nonpharmacological therapies: massage, perineal massage, hot bath, supportive care, childbirth preparation group, breathing techniques, pelvic floor exercises, transcutaneous electrostimulation, Swiss ball and spontaneous pushing. Six articles (60%) showed a positive outcome for reduction of pain in labor and all of them had a positive outcome for different variables of labor, such as reduction of time, anxiety and pelvic floor laceration rates.

Conclusion:

The use of non-pharmacological therapies was efficient to reduce the effects of labor and childbirth, such as pain, duration of labor, anxiety, laceration and episiotomy.

Complementary Therapies; Exercise Therapy; Pregnancy; Natural Childbirth; Obstetric Nursing; Review

RESUMEN

Objetivo:

Identificar las terapias no farmacológicas aplicadas durante el embarazo y el parto.

Método:

Revisión integradora realizada en las bases de datos PubMed, ScieLO y PEDro, buscando artículos de 2008 en inglés, español y portugués. Los descriptores utilizados fueron: embarazo, parto, fisioterapia, medicina alternativa y complementaria, terapia alternativa, terapia no farmacológica, terapia biomecánica.

Resultados:

Se analizaron 41 artículos y se subdividieron en diez categorías de terapias no farmacológicas: masaje, masaje perineal, baño caliente, cuidados de apoyo, grupo de preparación al parto, técnicas de respiración, ejercicios del suelo pélvico, electroestimulación transcutánea, pelota suiza y pujo espontáneo. Seis artículos (60%) tuvieron un resultado positivo para la reducción del dolor en el trabajo de parto y todos tuvieron algún resultado positivo para diferentes variables del trabajo de parto, como la reducción del tiempo, la ansiedad y las tasas de laceración del suelo pélvico.

Conclusión:

El uso de terapias no farmacológicas fue eficaz para reducir los efectos del trabajo de parto y el parto, como el dolor, la duración del trabajo de parto, la ansiedad, la laceración y la episiotomía.

Terapias Complementarias; Terapia por Ejercicio; Embarazo; Parto Normal; Enfermería Obstétrica; Revisión

RESUMO

Objetivo:

Identificar terapias não farmacológicas aplicadas na gestação e no trabalho de parto.

Método:

Revisão integrativa realizada nas bases de dados: PubMed, ScieLO e PEDro, buscando-se artigos de 2008 nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português. Os descritores utilizados foram: gravidez, parto, fisioterapia, medicina alternativa e complementar, terapia alternativa, terapia não farmacológica, terapia biomecânica.

Resultados:

Foram analisados 41 artigos e subdivididos em 10 categorias de terapias não farmacológicas: massagem, massagem perineal, banho quente, cuidado de suporte, grupo de preparação para o parto, técnicas de respiração, exercícios de assoalho pélvico, eletroestimulação transcutânea, bola suíça e puxo espontâneo. Seis artigos (60%) apresentaram desfecho positivo para redução da dor no trabalho de parto e todos apresentaram algum desfecho positivo para diferentes variáveis do trabalho de parto, como redução do tempo, da ansiedade e das taxas de laceração do assoalho pélvico.

Conclusão:

O uso de terapias não farmacológicas foi eficiente para reduzir os efeitos do trabalho de parto e parto, como dor, duração do trabalho de parto, ansiedade, laceração e episiotomia.

Terapias Complementares; Terapia por Exercício; Gestação; Parto Normal; Enfermagem Obstétrica; Revisão

INTRODUCTION

The literature has different denominations for unconventional therapeutic practices in pregnancy, such as active movement, breathing exercises, use of the Swiss ball, massage, hot baths, among others, which are called: Non-Pharmacological Therapies (NPT), complementary medical therapies, alternative therapies, physiotherapeutic resources and manual therapies^1-2. However, the first two terms are the most used when describing biomechanical and psychological therapies to reduce pain, increase mobility and facilitate labor¹.

Basically, there are two groups of NPT used in pregnancy and labor: those involving application to soft or myofascial tissues (massage, myofascial release, acupressure, reflexology, Transcutaneous Electrostimulation - TENS, acupuncture, hot baths, ice application, perineal massage, breathing exercises, muscle relaxation) and those involving joint manipulation (bone mobilization, osteopathy, active free exercises, coordinated position changes, use of the Swiss ball)^3-5. The literature has demonstrated the benefits of these therapies for women in the pregnancy-childbirth process and similar positive results between therapies⁶.

In the perspective of knowing the NPT used in pregnancy and labor for promoting comfort and independence to the parturient woman, it is necessary to identify the scientific production addressing its use in the context of care to pregnant and parturient women. The choice for an integrative review is justified by the search for studies evaluating the use of NPT in a qualitative and quantitative perspective, in order to know quantitative scientific evidence and pregnant women's experiences with NPT. In this review, a search for NPT accessible to all health professionals, from their academic background, was performed, so that the results of this study allow any professional working in the maternal and child context to assist in the comprehensive care of pregnant women by using NPT with evidence of effective results.

Although the literature has reviews evaluating the use of certain NPT, such as TENS, massage, perineal massage and hot bath, no studies combining NPT and their effects in the support to pregnancy, labor and childbirth have been found^1,7-9. Thus, the objective of the study was to identify all of them and analyze them together.

METHOD

TYPE OF STUDY

This is an integrative review that followed the phases structured by Christmals and Gross¹⁰ in the conceptual, empirical, interpretative and communicative steps. The research question was developed, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were outlined, the literature search was performed and a data collection tool was adopted, followed by the categorization and evaluation of studies and interpretation of results¹⁰.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The guiding question was: what is the scientific production on NPT applied during pregnancy and labor and the possible results in labor and postpartum? The articles were selected according to the following criteria: published between 2008 and 2018 in English, Spanish and/or Portuguese. The following were excluded: literature reviews; studies that presented unsupervised physical exercises, aerobic, resistance and/or hypertrophy exercises and physical activity as therapies; and studies addressing therapies that required complementary training such as acupuncture, acupressure, osteopathy, chiropractic, Pilates and yoga.

DATA COLLECTION

The literature search was performed in June 2018. The selected databases were: Publisher Medline (PubMed), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Given the particularities of each database, the search was performed differently in each of them. In PubMed, the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms were used: pregnancy (or) labor (and) physical therapy (and) complementary and alternative medicine, alternative therapy; nonpharmacological therapy; biomechanical therapy.

The SciELO search used the same Boolean descriptors and operators with its variations in Portuguese: gravidez, parto, fisioterapia, medicina alternativa e complementar, terapia alternativa, terapia não farmacológica, terapia biomêcanica ; and in Spanish: embarazo, parto, fisioterapia, medicina alternativa y complementaria, terapia alternativa, terapia no farmacológica, terapia biomécanica.

The search in PEDro was performed according to the advanced search system of the database. The controlled descriptors 'pregnancy' and 'labor' were correlated to the following therapies using the Boolean operator 'AND': education, electrotherapies, heat and cold; hydrotherapy, balneotherapy; skill training; stretching, mobilization, manipulation, massage, respiratory therapy.

The articles were analyzed using the reference management tool Endnote version X7, duplicate articles were excluded, as well as those that did not answer the guiding question of the study or fit the exclusion criteria. Subsequently, abstracts were read and articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for full reading.

DATA ANALYSIS AND TREATMENT

The selected articles were analyzed and the categories of interventions were raised and discussed. Data analysis was based on the principles of Whittemore and Knafl¹¹ and performed according to the following steps: reduction of material, display of results, comparison, conclusion and verification^10-11.

RESULTS

The flowchart described in Figure 1 shows the process of selection of publications. Fifty-one articles were analyzed in full; five out of these were excluded for analyzing the results during pregnancy, three for not reporting the intervention, and two for being interventions applied in the puerperal period. At the end of the analysis, 41 articles remained, which were analyzed and subdivided into categories.

Figure 1
Flowchart describing the selection of articles.

Legend: N˚= number

Ten NPT were identified in the studies of this review: massage, perineal massage, hot bath, supportive care, childbirth preparation group, breathing techniques, Pelvic Floor (PF) exercises, TENS, Swiss ball and spontaneous pushing. The description of studies is shown in Chart 1. The outcomes and variables assessed in the studies are described in Chart 2.

Chart 1
Description of the integrative review studies.

Authors	Profession of therapist	Study location	Methodological design
Kimber, et al; 2008(12)	Midwives and therapists	Prenatal centers	Randomized pilot study
Mei-dan, et al; 2008(13)	Midwives and self applicable	Prenatal clinics and maternity	Controlled clinical study
Bergstrom, et al; 2009(14)	Midwives	Prenatal clinics	Randomized clinical trial
Davim, et al; 2009(3)	Nurse	Maternity	Clinical intervention study
Bahadoran, et al; 2010(15)	Not informed	Public health centers	Quasi-experimental clinical study
Peng, et al; 2010(16)	Nurse	Maternity	Non-randomized clinical study
Taghinejad, et al; 2010(17)	Midwives	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Dias, et al; 2011(18)	Physiotherapists	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Gau, et al; 2011(19)	Midwives	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Geranmayeh, et al; 2011(20)	Midwives	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Dhany, et al; 2012(6)	Not informed	Maternity	Retrospective clinical study
Karacam, et al; 2012(21)	Nurses and midwives	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Low, et al; 2012(22)	Nurses	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Mortazavi, et al; 2012(23)	Not informed	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Ismail, et al; 2013(24)	Obstetrician, midwives and physiotherapists	Maternity	Descriptive study
Gallo, et al; 2013(25)	Physiotherapist	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Lee, et al; 2013(26)	Nurses	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Miquelutti, et al; 2013(27)	Physiotherapist	Maternity	Qualitative study
Akbarzadeh,et al; 2014(28)	Doulas	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Reilly, et al; 2014(29)	Physiotherapist	Prenatal clinic	Randomized clinical trial
Adams, et al; 2015(30)	Not informed	Retrospective: database	Longitudinal study
Demirel, et al; 2015(31)	Not informed	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Fritel, et al; 2015(32)	Physiotherapist or midwives	Prenatal centers	Randomized clinical trial
Gayeski, et al; 2015(5)	Obstetric nurse	Maternity	Cross-sectional
Hanjini, et al; 2015(33)	Not informed	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Akbarzadeh, et al; 2016(34)	Doulas	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Boaviagem, et al; 2016(35)	Physiotherapists	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Henrique, et al; 2016(36)	Obstetric nurse	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Karimi, et al; 2016(37)	Not informed	Prenatal clinics	Randomized clinical trial
Masoumi, et al; 2016(38)	Midwives	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Taavoni, et al; 2016(39)	Midwives	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Santana, et al; 2016(40)	Physiotherapist	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Sut, et al; 2016(41)	Not informed	Obstetric center	Randomized clinical trial
Aziato, et al; 2017(42)	Nurse	Tertiary health center	Qualitative descriptive exploratory study
Cicek, et al; 2017(43)	Not informed	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Erdogan, et al; 2017(44)	Nurses	Maternity	Experimental study with control group
Miquelutti, et al; 2017(45)	Physiotherapist and Obstetrician	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Shahoei, et al; 2017(46)	Midwives	Maternity	Clinical study
Vanderlaan, et al; 2017(47)	Nurses and midwives	Maternity	Retrospective cohort study
Yuksel, et al; 2017(48)	Not informed	Maternity	Randomized clinical trial
Ugwu, et al; 2018(49)	Self-applicable	Prenatal clinics	Randomized clinical trial

Chart 2
Description and categorization of NPT.

NPT	Positive outcome	Inconclusive or negative outcome
Massage	Reduction of pain in labor(3,5,17, 23,25,30,44) Reduction of anxiety in labor(23,33) Greater satisfaction with childbirth(23,34) Reduced use of epidural and spinal analgesia and anesthesia(6) Reduction of labor time(33) Reduced perception of labor time(44) Association with increased breastfeeding(30) Higher frequency of vaginal delivery(33)	Association with increased laceration and use of forceps(30) Pain and satisfaction in childbirth(12)
Perineal massage	Reduced frequency of episiotomy(14,20,31) Reduction of the second stage of labor(20) Good technique acceptance(24) Increased incidence of perineal integrity(49)	Increased laceration grades 1 and 2(20) No difference regarding postpartum urinary incontinence(13,22) No differences regarding perineal trauma in general(13,21)
Hot bath	Reduction of pain in labor(3,26,30,36,47) Association with increased breastfeeding(30) Improvement of the delivery experience(30) Increased frequency of uterine contractions during labor(36) Reduction of duration of labor(36)	Associated with increased laceration(30) Increased fetal heart rate(36)
Supportive care	Reduction of pain in labor(23,28) Increased incidence of vaginal delivery(28) Reduction of duration of labor(34) Resulted in Apgar scores greater than 8(34) Reduction of anxiety(23)
Childbirth preparation groups	Control of anxiety and feeling of security(27) Increased comfort and mobility during childbirth(27) Increased satisfaction with childbirth(27) Reduction of fear of vaginal delivery(43) Reduction of anxiety(43) Increased positive thinking(15) Increased choice of vaginal delivery(37,38) Higher rates of non-instrumental delivery(38) Higher weight of the baby(37,38)	Childbirth experience(14) Use of analgesia(14) Stress in maternity(14)
Breathing techniques	Reduction of pain(3,43,48) Reduction of duration of labor(48) Reduction of anxiety in labor(43)	There was no difference for anxiety, pain, fatigue, satisfaction, type of delivery, duration of labor and Apgar scores(35)
Pelvic floor exercises	Less susceptibility to urinary incontinence in the postpartum period(29) Increased pelvic floor muscle strength(41)	Postpartum urinary incontinence(32) Type of delivery, frequency of perineal laceration and neonatal variables(18)
TENS	Reduction of pain in labor(16,40,46) Postponement of the use of epidural analgesia(40) Reduced postpartum blood loss(16)
Swiss ball	Reduction of pain in labor(19,39) Increased confidence in relation to labor(19) Reduction of duration of labor(36) Increased frequency of uterine contractions during labor(36)	Increased fetal heart rate(36)
Spontaneous pushing	Reduction in the incidence of perineal laceration(22)	Postpartum urinary incontinence(22)

• Legend: NPT: non-pharmacological therapies; TENS: transcutaneous electrostimulation.

DISCUSSION

From the analysis of the 41 articles, ten NPT that presented positive outcomes for labor, childbirth and the puerperium were identified, namely pain relief, increase of women's positive thinking, reduction of anxiety, duration of labor, perineal lacerations and postpartum urinary incontinence (UI). This study believes that NPT allow the qualification of care to women through non-invasive relief measures that stimulate their active participation in the gestational process and provide them with more knowledge.

In the articles included in this review, NPT applied in a hospital setting predominated. Thus, 30 (73.17%) studies presented therapies in the maternity, of which seven (17%) were conducted in Brazil, demonstrating that Brazilian practices have sought alignment with those of other countries and more humanized and evidence-based obstetric care⁵⁰. Ten (24.39%) studies brought the application of NPT in childbirth preparation clinics with techniques that needed a longer follow-up to obtain positive outcomes, such as childbirth preparation groups, perineal massage and PF exercises^14,32,49. Only one (2.44%) retrospective study used data from a previously collected database³⁰. The practice of NPT in labor allows pregnant women to have more knowledge of puerperal-pregnancy processes, thereby making them more confident at the time of delivery, reducing anxiety, stress and, consequently, pain²⁷.

As for professionals who apply the NPT, four professions were identified in this review; midwives were present in 11 (26.89%) articles, nurses in ten (24.39%), physiotherapists in nine (21.95%) and doulas in two (4.87%). In ten (24.39%) studies, the therapist's profession was not informed, and of these, four described that the researchers applied the therapies without identifying another specific profession^37,41,43,48 and two used data from routine services in maternity hospitals^6,30. The prevalence of midwives in international publications is due to the recognition of this profession in the care of pregnant women and childbirth^{12,17,20,24,32,43,50}. In Brazil, where nurses and physiotherapists prevailed, although the training of midwives is not a conventional practice yet, it is gradually coming back, in the opposite direction of the biomedical model^18,25,36,50. The participation of this professional reflects the concern with comprehensive care and the search for the return of women as protagonists in childbirth with the decentralization of the physician's role and less obstetric interventions. In the same direction, the prevalence of nurses and physiotherapists in the national scenario is the result of the search for a comprehensive health model, based on the guidelines of these professions^51-52. Nurses are the professionals who accompany women throughout the puerperal-pregnancy period and the first contact with women's health care⁵³. The presence of nurses in the scenario of pregnancy, labor and childbirth providing care to women justifies the number of studies bringing these professionals as those who apply therapies. In addition, physiotherapy is the science of active movement that believes in body movement as a way to reduce the negative effects of pregnancy and labor⁵⁴. The participation of the physiotherapist in pregnancy and labor processes as a member of the interdisciplinary team is an increasing trend in studies and should be valued^2,45. This review demonstrates that, regardless of the therapist's profession, the multidisciplinary team acts in the practice of NPT and in the care of women during pregnancy and labor, and the association of professions that assist women during childbirth is increasingly present in the studies.

Women's view on childbirth was also addressed in a study that did not present any specific intervention, but offered a view on their experience and perception of pain and how it is multifactorial⁴². The study cited women's views on pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and how immobility does not reduce pain. In the reports, the analgesic measures received reduced the perception of pain, but resulted in the need for other doses to maintain analgesia, which can lead to longer duration of labor because of the reduction in uterine contractions and women's movement. The study suggests that interventions for pain relief in labor should be chosen by the woman thus, their prior knowledge of pharmacological and non-pharmacological analgesic measures is important⁴². Listening to women's opinion is important, as it allows health professionals to know the side of the protagonist of childbirth and assess if their interventions have been really effective at the time of delivery.

In this sense, two (4.87%) studies addressed the satisfaction or experience of women in relation to the NPT received, pointing to a gap in the literature regarding the number of qualitative studies considering the pregnant woman's view on therapies applied during pregnancy, labor and delivery^27,42. One believes that addressing the experiences of pregnant and puerperal women in relation to NPT is essential to reaffirm which therapies improve the experience of childbirth from women's perspective, encouraging their role in the puerperal-pregnancy process.

The use of Kinesio taping, an elastic bandage placed in the region of the lumbar spine to reduce labor pain, was evaluated in a study that did not show results and did not make clear the reason for its absence⁴⁵. Although the study fulfilled the criteria to be included in this study, Kinesio taping is not a non-pharmacological therapy included and recommended in this review, given the lack of results proving the effectiveness of the technique, as well as the scarce literature justifying its use in labor, corroborating the study found.

Similarly, one study²² analyzed the use of spontaneous pushing to reduce UI in the postpartum period and found no significant differences. Spontaneous pushing is recommended to avoid pelvic floor lacerations²². Despite the small amount of evidence found in this review on spontaneous pushing, one recommends its use because it allows women to control the moment of delivery and the expulsive period. Unlike Kinesio taping, spontaneous pushing is already used and recommended in the second stage of labor to prevent perineal trauma and to facilitate delivery⁵⁵.

As for the most used NPT during pregnancy and labor, massage and perineal massage were the most prevalent, and demonstrated positive results in most studies. Massage was one of the most used interventions among studies; in ten (24.39%) articles, the intervention was used in pregnancy and in labor to assess different variables^{3,5-6,30,33,44}. Pain was the main variable analyzed in these studies. The assumption of pain reduction by massage can be explained by the Gate Control Theory, in which the stimulation of thicker peripheral fibers, such as therapeutic touch, inhibits painful stimuli in the central nervous system, reducing pain⁶. A similar mechanism is recognized in TENS⁹.

Massage can also stimulate the parasympathetic system, responsible for anxiety control responses, consequently increasing the maintenance of breastfeeding by mothers³⁰. Similarly, studies show that the association of massage and breathing techniques reduces fear and anxiety and, consequently, reduces pain even more^12,30. The pain-anxiety-pain cycle can be broken with the use of massage, increasing women's feelings of control and satisfaction with motherhood¹².

It is important to consider the body as a whole, and an intervention based on a motor mechanism of tissue release and pain relief generates positive consequences [relief] in anxiety and fear and positive results in childbirth. In a study that did not achieve significant differences between groups, there was a reduction in pain and higher satisfaction with childbirth in the group that received the massage, confirming the previous statement¹². Different massage techniques were applied in the studies, and the most common was massage in the lumbosacral region, which is the most painful during labor^3,5,12,25. In other studies, a more global massage in different regions of the body was described, according to the woman's desire^6,17,24. A study brought the application of massage on the foot sole, a technique known as reflexology, and the authors reported the local benefits of the massage, such as muscle relaxation, increased blood circulation and the overall benefits, such as feelings of comfort and mental balance, thereby reducing stress symptoms³³.

During the massage, endorphins and enkephalins, natural painkillers that reduce pain and improve mood, are released. The results of reflexology proved to be more positive, since the author evaluated pain, labor duration and Apgar scores and obtained a positive result for the intervention group in the three variables³³.

Studies defend massage as a simple and inexpensive method, easy to apply, which can be taught during pregnancy and applied by the partner, thus a simple measure for women's support that makes labor more humanized^23,25. Although no qualitative studies reporting the woman's experience in relation to massage as a therapeutic intervention for pregnancy and labor were found, the study that evaluated women's satisfaction with the use of massage obtained positive results⁵. A Cochrane review confirmed our findings of pain reduction through massage¹.

Perineal massage works to stretch the muscles of the pelvic floor, facilitating the passage of the fetus through the vagina, reducing the pain caused by perineal stretching in childbirth and the risk of perineal injury. This therapy was addressed by seven (17.07%) articles in this review^{13,21-22,24,49}. Women who underwent perineal massage during labor had a lower frequency of episiotomy^20,31. A study has shown that, although well accepted by pregnant women, few are aware of the technique that could be self-applied if properly taught²⁴. Increased awareness of the perineum during pregnancy is part of a strategy to promote the integrity and protection of the region during pregnancy and puerperal period²⁴.

The results of studies have shown that perineal massage does not have a protective effect on the pelvic floor, does not increase the frequency of perineal integrity after delivery and also has no effect on the frequency of urinary and fecal incontinence postpartum^13,21-22. Similarly, a Cochrane review concluded that perineal massage does not reduce the frequency of episiotomy and lacerations grade 1 and 2, but has a positive effect in reducing grade 3 and 4 lacerations⁸. A recent study demonstrated its efficiency in maintaining an intact perineum in the postpartum period⁴⁹. Thus, the use of perineal massage from the 34^th week of pregnancy is recommended for stretching the perineum and avoiding more severe pelvic floor lacerations, as a knowledge tool and for increased perception of the mode of delivery. An advantage of this technique is the possibility of self-application that facilitates its use by women during pregnancy^13,49.

Five (12.19%) studies brought the hot bath as a NPT used in labor^{3,26,30,36,47}. The hot bath and hydrotherapy are therapeutic interventions widely used in clinical practice, with positive results in reducing pain in labor, but few studies analyzing the effects of hot bath in labor have been found.

A study that evaluated several NPT during labor found that the hot bath can reduce the admission of babies to the intensive care unit and increase adherence to breastfeeding³⁰. However, an unfavorable result was found regarding the increase in the frequency of perineal laceration. In another study, the use of hot baths proved to be efficient in reducing the pain caused by the dilation³. The association of the hot bath with other techniques, such as the Swiss ball and perineal exercises, was more efficient in reducing the perception of pain and the duration of labor³⁶.

Similar to massage, the principle of pain reduction with the hot bath follows the Gate Control Theory, because the hot bath stimulates the skin thermoreceptors, which reach the brain faster than painful stimuli, thereby blocking the painful response and perception^26,47. The intervention performed in these studies followed the protocol of hot baths at a temperature of 37^oC for 20 to 30 minutes or indefinitely^26,36,47.

Despite the positive effects of the hot bath in the studies, there is still little evidence proving its effectiveness in pain relief and other variables of labor. No publications bringing the woman's experience with regard to its use in labor were found. Thus, for a more frequent use of hot baths, more studies need to be developed.

Supportive care was a therapeutic intervention found in three (7.31%) studies in this review. This category includes all the monitoring provided to pregnant women during labor and involves therapeutic touch, emotional support, offering understanding for the pregnant woman, and the use of pain relief techniques such as massage and mobilization^23,28,34. This care is considered a therapeutic pain relief intervention, since it is a multifactorial experience involving the mechanical mechanism of painful stimulus, the emotional experience and activation of the limbic system, leading to a physical perception. Since pain can be sensory, emotional and cognitive, it requires an intervention addressing the three dimensions, defined by the authors as supportive care³⁴.

Supportive care is also considered a mechanical intervention, because it involves changes of posture during labor, accelerating the progression of childbirth and reducing pain³⁴. For the role of support to the parturient woman, in addition to health professionals, the doula was mentioned as a reference, playing an important role, supporting, comforting and encouraging the pregnant woman to move during labor. In two articles this therapy was used as an intervention, variables of childbirth and baby were analyzed, and both obtained positive results in reducing pain, reducing the duration of labor and the frequency of Apgar scores greater than eight^28,34. Similarly, other authors analyzed the experience of women in relation to supportive care and obtained positive results in reducing anxiety and pain, making the experience of childbirth more pleasant²³. Thus, the use of supportive care is recommended to give more confidence, independence and positive emotional support to the woman during labor. Although it is considered a combination of therapies, its use proved to be efficient as a tool to help pregnant women in labor. In this review, the combination of physical and psychological techniques is considered effective in facilitating childbirth and a positive experience for women.

Similar to supportive care, childbirth preparation groups work on the integrality of women, bring non-pharmacological interventions for pain relief, emotional and psychological control techniques and information on childbirth and motherhood. In these groups, the partner can be encouraged to take the place of support caregiver, increasing the bond and comfort of the pregnant woman^14-15.

Six (14.63%) articles that used childbirth preparation groups^{14-15,27,37,43} as an intervention were found. These groups can help the woman and her partner to adapt to motherhood, increase the woman's vitality and positive thinking during pregnancy, labor and childbirth, and reduce the emotional factors of pain, stress and anxiety¹⁵. In contrast, in another study, the benefits brought by these groups to childbirth and the puerperal period were not evident, since there were no differences between groups regarding the use of analgesia and the experience of motherhood¹⁴.

Two publications analyzed the influence of preparation groups in the choice for the type of delivery, in the baby's weight and in reducing the fear of labor, obtaining favorable results for the intervention group, with greater choice for vaginal delivery and greater weight of babies^37-38,43. They also demonstrated that childbirth preparation groups are important tools to reduce women's fear of natural childbirth^37-38. The results of studies lead to the conclusion that this intervention increases women's knowledge about the processes of childbirth and motherhood, which generates positive thinking, reduces natural fear and increases the choice for vaginal delivery, with beneficial consequences for the baby.

In a study, women's perceptions of childbirth preparation programs were analyzed, and they responded positively about their experience with the program. Participants reported more control in labor, control of anxiety, feeling of security, greater ease of movement and satisfaction with the experience of childbirth²⁷. Although different variables were addressed in the studies, it is a consensus that preparation groups assist in the emotional and psychological maturation of women, increase their confidence and the feeling of control^15,27,37,43.

Four (9.75%) articles in this review used breathing techniques as an intervention. Two out of these reported a positive effect on anxiety, duration of labor and pain reduction^43,48. The other two studies attested that using combined techniques may be more efficient in reducing pain than only breathing techniques^3,35.

Respiratory techniques consist of coordinated breathing exercises that may follow different protocols, such as prolonged breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, nasal inspiration and pursed-lip breathing, among others. Breathing control reduces anxiety and increases self-control, reduces pain and facilitates fetal descent, helping with labor. Although the mechanism is known, more studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of breathing techniques in pregnancy and childbirth, which does not prevent its use associated with other techniques^3,35,43.

Similar to perineal massage, pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy increase the woman's perception of this musculature, increase blood circulation and strengthen this region³². Four (9.75%) articles evaluated the effect of these exercises in the puerperal pregnancy period^18,29,32. The aim of one of the articles was to analyze the reduction of UI in the postpartum period through pelvic floor exercises, but there was no difference in results between the groups³². On the other hand, another study showed a lower incidence of UI in the postpartum period in the group that practiced the exercises²⁹. The author recommends a prior investigation of women at risk of developing UI due to urethral hypermobility identified by ultrasound, and that pelvic floor exercise programs should be applied to them, showing that there is no need to redirect all women to a specific service for strengthening this musculature²⁹. One of the articles demonstrates the loss of strength of the pelvic floor during pregnancy and the importance of exercising to reduce such loss, thereby increasing the quality of life and preventing urinary problems⁴¹. Another study analyzed the association between these exercises and the type and duration of delivery, but did not find a positive or negative association, thus, these exercises are safe to be performed during pregnancy¹⁸.

The practice of pelvic floor exercises can be performed by pregnant women routinely in order to avoid the harmful effects of pregnancy on this musculature. Pregnant women with difficulty in performing pelvic floor exercises should be directed to the specific service for training²⁹.

The TENS is a unit that sends electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin, used for analgesia. During labor, the electrodes are placed on the dermatomes responsible for uterine and pelvic floor innervation. As previously mentioned, the TENS analgesia mechanism is similar to that of massage, from the Gate Control Theory, associated with endorphin release that acts as a natural analgesic⁶.

Three (7.31%) articles included in this review found a positive effect of the use of TENS in reducing pain in labor, which was recommended without producing harmful effects for the baby. It can be used according to the comfort of the pregnant woman in high or low frequency for periods starting from 15 minutes^16,40,46. In a Cochrane review, although the conclusion was that there is still no evidence proving the positive effect of TENS in reducing pain in labor, its offer as a non-pharmacological method of pain relief during this period was recommended⁷.

The use of the Swiss ball during pregnancy and labor aims to increase pelvic mobility and facilitate the descent of the fetus, just like the adoption of vertical postures by the woman, reducing the time of labor, promoting pain relief and increasing the pregnant woman's independence. Using the ball during pregnancy promotes postural alignment, greater perception of the body and of changes in the center of gravity, reduces pelvic back pain and increases the woman's confidence and mobility during labor¹⁹.

Three (7.31%) studies in this review showed a positive result in the use of the Swiss ball during pregnancy and labor, because there was a reduction of pain and of the duration of this period^36,19,39. The association between the use of the Swiss ball and the hot bath was efficient to accelerate labor and reduce pain^19,36,39. Different techniques were used in a qualitative study that demonstrated the positive experience of women in relation to vertical positions and movement during labor²⁷.

The limitation of the present study was the reduced number of articles with qualitative methodological design found in the literature. Since this is an integrative review, the aim was to find more studies addressing the qualitative perspective of NPT. Twenty-eight (68.29%) studies were randomized clinical trials and evaluated only the quantitative perspective of NPT. For future research, one recommends the search in different databases in order to find more qualitative studies.

CONCLUSION

The use of NPT was efficient to reduce the negative effects of labor and delivery, such as pain, duration of labor, anxiety, laceration and episiotomy frequency. Therapies such as massage, perineal massage, hot baths and childbirth preparation groups had a greater number of evidences with positive outcomes in labor and delivery and their use by professionals in maternity hospitals is recommended. Non-pharmacological therapies with immediate effects in labor, such as massage, hot baths, TENS, Swiss ball, breathing techniques and supportive care can be used in the maternity routine during labor and delivery. Non-pharmacological therapies that require a longer application period to produce positive effects, such as childbirth preparation groups, perineal massage and pelvic floor exercises should be performed in prenatal clinics. Midwives, nurses and physiotherapists were identified as professionals who apply the therapies, reinforcing the importance of a multidisciplinary team in the care for women in the pregnancy-puerperal cycle.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  16 Apr 2021
• Date of issue
  2021

History

• Received
  19 July 2019
• Accepted
  22 Aug 2020