EFFICACY OF JACOBSON’S RELAXATION TECHNIQUES ON ANXIETY DURING FIRST STAGE OF LABOUR

Abstract

Background: Labour and giving birth are life-threatening, with primiparturient mothers often experiencing labour anxiety. Jacobson's relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety and prepare mothers for vaginal delivery instead of caesarean section. Aim: To reduce the level of anxiety among primi parturient mothers in first stage of labour. Objectives: To assess the level of anxiety during first stage of labour among primi parturient mothers. To assess the efficacy of Jacobson’s relaxation techniques on anxiety.To find an association between anxiety with selected demographic variables. Methods and Material: A quantitative research study with one group pretest posttest design was conducted on 55 primi parturient mothers using Jacobson's relaxation techniques from latent to active labor. The study used a purposive sampling technique and an anxiety scale to collect data. The data was analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics (Paired’t’ test) were used to draw conclusions. Results: The study found that 89.1% and 10.9% of primi parturient mothers had severe and moderate anxiety before Jacobson's relaxation techniques. After the techniques, 98.2% and 1.8% of mothers experienced moderate and mild anxiety, with no severe anxiety remaining. The pre-test anxiety level was higher than the post-test level, and there was a significant difference between pre-test and post-test levels (p<0.001). The anxiety level was also associated with demographic variables (p<0.001).Conclusion: The study concluded that, Jacobson’s relaxation techniques were aneffectivetoreduceanxietyamongprimi parturientmothersduring latent phase of first stageoflabour.