The Effect of Back Massage Applied to Mothers in the Early Postpartum Period on Parameters

The Effect of Back Massage Applied to Mothers in the Early Postpartum Period on Comfort, Pain, Anxiety, and Physiological Parameters

In the literature, there are separate studies on massage, comfort, anxiety, and physiological parameters for massage practice, but there are no studies that measure the physiological parameters of comfort, pain, anxiety, blood pressure, pulse, fever, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate in the early postpartum period. In this study, the effect of back massage applied to mothers in the early postpartum period on comfort, pain, anxiety and physiological parameters will be examined.

If it is determined that the massage application, which is easy to apply and effective, has a positive effect on physiological parameters such as comfort, pain, anxiety and blood pressure, pulse, fever, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, as well as other parameters measured in the postpartum period, it can be used in the field of application.

This is where the originality of our work comes from. For this reason, it is aimed to contribute to the literature with this study.

For this purpose, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions should be made for these conditions seen in the postpartum period. It is possible to increase the quality of health care, to make a difference in patient care results and clinical practices, to increase patient satisfaction rates and to standardize care, especially by using non-pharmacological methods whose effectiveness has been proven by health professionals. As a matter of fact, studies indicate that postpartum women who receive effective nursing care are highly satisfied (88-90%) with the care services they receive. It is important for health professionals to follow current and high-evidence studies, conduct research on their own development and participate in in-service programs in order to increase the quality of health care. There are many practices such as aromatherapy and yoga applied in the postpartum period. Massage is one of them.

Massage is a process applied systematically to the soft tissues of the body, providing relaxation and mental relief. Theoretically, massage stimulates peripheral receptors in the skin. The stimuli reach the brain via the spinal cord and provide general relaxation. Massage reduces cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels by regulating the autonomic nervous system. The amygdala may also modulate neural activity in the forebrain and control network. The pressure in massage application increases blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, causing changes in heart rate and blood pressure. This non-pharmacological method helps to increase comfort by relaxing the muscles, increase the release of endorphins, urinary serotonin and dopamine, decrease salivary and urinary cortisol levels, reduce pain and edema, and treat psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. If it is determined that the massage application, which is easy to apply and effective, has a positive effect on physiological parameters such as comfort, pain, anxiety and blood pressure, pulse, fever, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, as well as other parameters measured in the postpartum period, it can be used in the application area. This is where the originality of our work comes from. For this reason, it is aimed to contribute to the literature with this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 and over
• Vaginal delivery
• In the first 24 hours after birth
• First born
• Having no difficulty in sitting
• Written / verbal communication can be established
• At least primary school graduate
• Not having any problems during mother's pregnancy
• Not diagnosed with any psychiatric disease
• Wound, infection, mass etc. on the back. non
• Vascular and cardio-thoracic diseases, non-skin diseases
• Women who agree to participate in the study will be taken into the sample

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being under 18 years old
• Giving birth by cesarean section
• Receiving controlled analgesia after normal delivery
• Women with a psychiatric diagnosis will not be included in the study