massage on labour duration, inconsistent results have
been reported. The complications caused by
prolonged labour in mother and fetus are enormous
and the massage for shortening of duration of labour
is simple, affordable, safe and more acceptable for
pregnant women (Haghighi, 2016).
Research results show that giving massage can
provide positive results. For example, a 15 minute
sitting massage will stimulate the sympathetic
nervous system to increase levels of epinephrine
(adrenaline). this action can increase one's awareness.
Conversely, slower, deeper, and more rhythmic
massage can reduce epinephrine levels, produce a
feeling of relaxation, and can lead to restful sleep
Kecskes (2014).
Accuracy and Trigger Point Therapy (can
suppress soft muscle tissue that relieves pain and
dysfunction) are other examples of massage
techniques that provide a number of important
benefits. These techniques produce endorphins (a
compound known to reduce pain and create a feeling
of euphoria. Endorphins come into play after 15
minutes of massage and their effects can last up to 48
hours in the form of comfort Kecskes (2014).
In choosing a method to reduce pain during labor,
the mother can also be assisted by a midwife.
Midwives can build trust in the mother, so that the
mother can make her more comfortable and relaxed
in labor. Pain control during childbirth plays an
important role during labor because it contributes to
the physical well-being of both mother and fetus.
Different techniques both regional and nonregional to
provide labor analgesia. Non regional methods may
be divided into pharmacological and
nonpharmacological methods. Pharmacological
agents include inhalational agents (nitrous oxide,
Inhalation of halogenated agents) and systemic
analgesics as morphine, diamorphin, fentanyle,
meperidine (pethidine) .A according to non-
pharmacological techniques includes transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), Relaxation
and/or breathing techniques, Temperature
modulation: hot or cold packs, water immersion,
hypnosis, massage, Acupuncture, and Aromatherapy.
One of the non- pharmaceutical methods for labor
pain reduction is effleurage. Effleurage is one type of
massage which include light or deep stroke by using
a flat surface of hand or forearm over back and/ or
abdominal areas of laboring women. Outcome of
effleurage are reducing pain, relieving stress and
anxiety, relaxation, comfort and decrease the labor
duration of mothers in labor (Zaghloul, 2018).
Reduction of labor pain can be done by using massage
effleurage. This technique is quite simple and easy to
do as a relief for pain in the first stage of labor during
active mothers. This massage is quite easy to do by
health workers such as midwives by giving gentle,
long and unbroken strokes Maryunani (2017).
Other factors that may affect the perception of
labor pain include age, socioeconomic, parity of baby
size, its presentation as well as knowledge and
understanding of childbirth. Lack of knowledge and
understanding result to high anxiety and lead to pain.
However, various methods are performed to reduce
labor pain, both pharmacologically and
nonpharmacologically. The use of pharmacological
methods has better effectiveness, compared with
nonpharmacological methods, but the use of
pharmacological methods often causes side effects
and sometimes does not have the expected effect.
While nonpharmacological methods, in addition to
reducing pain in labor, have non-invasive effects,
simple, effective, and without harmful effects. One of
nonpharmacological techniques that can reduce labor
pain include acupressure and effleurage (Khomsah,
2017).
Based on the results of research conducted by
Kurniasih (2017) states that mothers with severe pain
before massage as much as 61.8% while after
interventions / actions of maternal massage with
severe pain as much as 33.3%. And based on the
results of research also conducted Rossalina (2017)
states the results obtained from 30 respondents that
the respondent's pain scale before performing
massage effleurage measures are mostly moderate
pain as many as 22 people (73.3%), severe pain as
many as 7 people (23.3 %) and only 1 person (3.3%)
had mild pain whereas after the massage effleurage
action was seen there had been a decrease in pain
level, most of which were moderate pain by 20 people
(66.7%), respondents with mild pain increased to 8
people (26.7%) and only 2 people (6.7%) who had
severepain. Based on preliminary studies conducted
at BPM Nurleli Purba, Bandar Khalifah Subdistrict,
Serdang Bedagai District in January to March, as
many as 16 women gave birth, stating that every
mother had severe pain during the first stage of labor,
and they did not know about therapy or massage that
could done to reduce the pain, for example massage
effluerage. Basically this massage can also be done
by a midwife or husband or other labor companions.
Add to this the midwife's ignorance that treats these
patients about the pain reduction effluerage massage
method.