The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the press applied to LI4 acupressure during labor.

This is an experimental study with randomized, controlled and placebo design has been conducted between 1 June 2018-15 December 2018 in the obstetric hospital of the Istanbul University of Health Sciences, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital. A total of 135 pregnant women admitted to the maternity ward (experiment=45, control=45, placebo=45) agreed to participate in the study. From the beginning to the end of each contraction to the LI4 acupressure point on the right hand of the participants in the experimental group; when cervical dilatation reached 4 cm and 7 cm, a total of 20 times acupressure were applied during the first 10 contractions. On the right hand of the participants in the placebo group, the LI4 acupressure was only touched without pressure. The data were obtained by using the pregnant diagnostic form, birth follow-up form, Visual Analog Scale and postpartum interview form. The data were analyzed in the statistical program program.

As a result of the study; It was determined that the pain severity scores of the participants in the experimental group both before and after the first administration decreased significantly after the application (p=0.000). In the placebo and control groups, a statistically significant increase in pain severity after the first and second administration was determined (p=0.000, p=0.000 (p<0.05), respectively. It was found to be shorter than the other groups and there was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.000).

According to the findings were obtained from the study, it was found that acupressure application to LI4 point decreases labor pain, shortens active phase duration.

KEYWORDS: Acupressure, LI4 acupressure point, time of delivery, birth pain

-This study is made by Derya Deniz