The effect of Hugo point pressure on postpartum pain in multiparous women

Background
In midwifery, Hugo point pressure is one of several effective, non-pharmacological approaches to decreasing pain.

Objectives
The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Hugo point on postpartum pain in multiparous women.

Material and methods
This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 62 pregnant women in two groups: 31 women in the case-study (Hugo point pressure) and 31 women in the control-group (non-Hugo point pressure) groups. The block random sampling method was used. Data were collected by way of a questionnaire requesting information of delivery process, as well as a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for measuring pain intensity. In the postpartum ward and at least 2–24 hrs after the delivery, pain intensity and duration was measured before and 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after intervention. Data was analyzed through independent t-test and RMANOWA tests.

Results
The intensity of pain for both groups in the first two hours after delivery was significant (p = 0.005), but 4, 6 and 8 hours post- -delivery, despite a pain reduction in the intervention group more than in the control group, the difference was not significant. Moreover, no significant difference was observed between the two groups at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours after delivery in terms of pain duration. Via the chi-square test, the frequency of painkiller use showed no significant difference statistically between the two groups.

Conclusions
Hugo point pressure is a simple and cost-effective, harmless and easily applicable analgesic method for after-pain reduction – especially in the early hours of the postpartum period.