The effect of warm compresses on reducing pain during the active phase of the first stage of labor
Keywords:
warm compress, labor pain, active phase, first stage of labor, midwifery careAbstract
Labor pain is a physiological response during childbirth, but unmanaged pain can increase anxiety, fatigue, and discomfort. Warm compress therapy is a simple non-pharmacological method that can be used in primary maternity care. This study aimed to determine the effect of warm compresses on reducing pain during the active phase of first-stage labor at the Dolik Public Health Center in 2025. This study used a pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design. The study was conducted from May to June 2025. The population consisted of all women in the active phase of first-stage labor who came to the Dolik Public Health Center. Quota sampling was used to recruit 30 respondents. Pain intensity was measured before and after warm compress therapy. Univariate analysis used frequency distribution, and bivariate analysis used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Before the intervention, 19 respondents (63.3%) experienced moderate pain, 9 respondents (30.0%) experienced severe pain, and 2 respondents (6.7%) experienced very severe pain. After the intervention, 19 respondents (63.3%) experienced mild pain, 6 respondents (20.0%) experienced moderate pain, and 5 respondents (16.7%) experienced severe pain. The Wilcoxon test showed that 27 respondents experienced decreased pain, 3 respondents had unchanged pain, and no respondent experienced increased pain. The p-value was 0.000, lower than alpha 0.05. Warm compress therapy significantly reduced pain during the active phase of first-stage labor. This intervention can support compassionate midwifery care and improve maternal comfort in primary health services.
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