Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of heat and cold therapy during the first stage of labor on women
perception of birth experience. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: This study was conducted at Qasr
al-Aini, Cairo University maternity hospitals at labor and delivery unit. Sample: One hundred parturient women
were recruited randomly and allocated to the study and the control groups, fifty for each. Inclusion criteria were
primigravida, nulliparous women, age between 18 to 35 years, gestational age between 37 to 41 weeks, single
fetus, cephalic presentation, and on the active phase of labor (3 cm dilatation). Data collection tools included; 1)
a structured interview questionnaire, 2) labor and delivery assessment sheet, 3) Visual Analogue Scale for pain
intensity, 4) Visual Analogue Scale for maternal satisfaction, 5) State Anxiety Inventory, and 6) Crashed ice and
hot rubber packs. Intervention: During the first stage of labor at 3 cm cervical dilatation, women of the study
group received hot water pack with a temperature of 38-40°C. covered with cotton towel on their lower
abdomen, and low back for 15 minutes on left side-lying position, then they received crashed ice pack covered
with thin cotton towel in both hands, between thumb and forefinger, (LI4) acupressure point for 5 minutes.
Results: There were significant statistical differences between both groups after intervention. Mothers in the
study group reported lower mean pain score of 5.78±0.73 SD, lower mean anxiety score of 32.92±3.72 SD and
higher satisfaction level with mean of 6.40±0.53 SD than mothers in the control group (P ≤0.05). Conclusion &
recommendation: Heat and cold therapy is an inexpensive and is particularly empower woman’s birth
experience. Further randomized controlled trials are needed for best evidence.