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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The effects of a structured childbirth massage programme in improving maternal outcomes
1
Kwong Wah Hospital, OBS, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A474
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Massage therapy has been demonstrated to be effective during pregnancy. Studies show that women who received massage therapy reported decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain. Antenatal Massage Class (AMC) was commenced to provide a two-hour teaching session on the massage programme at or above 36 weeks gestation for couples in a public hospital in Hong Kong in 2016. It was suspended in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in October 2023. The programme included prenatal education, hands-on massage techniques for antenatal & labour support and partner involvement training. Women and their partners practise the massage at home and during labour.
DISCUSSION:
The quantitative study design was employed to explore the efficacy of a childbirth massage programme in improving maternal comfort, reducing labour pain, and enhancing overall birth experiences. Postpartum women who participated in the AMC and gave birth in Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) between Jan 2024 and April 2025 were invited to complete a postnatal survey and return before discharge from the hospital. Quantitative statistics were analysed.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Between January 2024 and April 2025, 111 couples had attended the AMC, 95 women gave birth in KWH, and 64 completed surveys were received before discharge. The survey response rate was 67%. The survey showed that massage had positive antenatal and postnatal effects on pregnant women. All women had practiced antenatal massage, 89% women had improved in sleep quality, and 78% felt relieved from back pain. 80% women received a massage during labor. Among them, 76% women had their anxiety relieved, 67% women had their pain relieved during labor, and 88% women perceived positive birth experiences.
KEY MESSAGE:
The results indicated that massage during antenatal and labor improved maternal outcomes, including comfort, and the involvement of partners to support women had a positive impact. Qualitative studies evaluating couples’ experience and satisfaction to identify their need for improvement were recommended. Poster session 1 (Group A)
Massage therapy has been demonstrated to be effective during pregnancy. Studies show that women who received massage therapy reported decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain. Antenatal Massage Class (AMC) was commenced to provide a two-hour teaching session on the massage programme at or above 36 weeks gestation for couples in a public hospital in Hong Kong in 2016. It was suspended in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in October 2023. The programme included prenatal education, hands-on massage techniques for antenatal & labour support and partner involvement training. Women and their partners practise the massage at home and during labour.
DISCUSSION:
The quantitative study design was employed to explore the efficacy of a childbirth massage programme in improving maternal comfort, reducing labour pain, and enhancing overall birth experiences. Postpartum women who participated in the AMC and gave birth in Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) between Jan 2024 and April 2025 were invited to complete a postnatal survey and return before discharge from the hospital. Quantitative statistics were analysed.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Between January 2024 and April 2025, 111 couples had attended the AMC, 95 women gave birth in KWH, and 64 completed surveys were received before discharge. The survey response rate was 67%. The survey showed that massage had positive antenatal and postnatal effects on pregnant women. All women had practiced antenatal massage, 89% women had improved in sleep quality, and 78% felt relieved from back pain. 80% women received a massage during labor. Among them, 76% women had their anxiety relieved, 67% women had their pain relieved during labor, and 88% women perceived positive birth experiences.
KEY MESSAGE:
The results indicated that massage during antenatal and labor improved maternal outcomes, including comfort, and the involvement of partners to support women had a positive impact. Qualitative studies evaluating couples’ experience and satisfaction to identify their need for improvement were recommended. Poster session 1 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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