Pregnancy is a process that affects life more or less as a result of hormonal, physical
and psychological changes in the woman's body (Bustos et al. 2017; Karataş and Mete
2012). For this reason, the changes that occur during pregnancy can sometimes lead to
deterioration of the general health status and unexpected problems. In order for the
pregnancy to continue and result in a healthy way, the physical and mental safety of the
pregnant must be ensured (Bustos et al. 2017). One of the most common problems
experienced by women during pregnancy is early pregnancy nausea and vomiting, the cause
of which is not yet known and affects 50-80% of pregnant women (Laitinen 2020, Şimşek
2021). Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy usually begin in the early weeks of pregnancy and
disappear spontaneously at the beginning of the second trimester. However, in some cases,
a more severe picture called hyperemesis gravidarum may be seen, which may require
hospitalization and accompanied by conditions such as weight loss and fluid-electrolyte
imbalance (Özdemir et al, 2010; Lee and Saha, 2011). Pregnancy hormones (hCG, estradiol,
progesterone), upper gastrointestinal system (GIS) disorders, Helicobacter pylori,
hyperthyroidism, immune system and nutritional disorders and psychological factors are
among the factors thought to cause nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (Bustos et al.
2017; Timur and Kızılırmak 2011; Aşcı and Özer 2011).The prevalence of nausea in
pregnancy is 50-80% (Einarson et al. 2013; Pepe and Ege 2019; Mutlugüneş and Mete 2019),
while the prevalence of vomiting and retching is 50% (Matthews et al. 2015).
Nausea-vomiting is usually time-limited and starts at the 5th week of pregnancy (Gürbüz
and Güngör 2018), 8-12. It peaks in the 14th week and decreases after the 14th week, in
some cases 16-18. It can last up to weeks (Bustos et al. 2017; Timur and Kızılırmak 2011;
Matthews et al. 2015; Özdemir et al. 2010). The probability of recurrence in the next
pregnancies of women is 15-81% (Musfirowati et al. 2018; ACOG 2018).Not knowing when
nausea and vomiting will end and how to manage it causes emotional disappointment,
hopelessness, weakness and anxiety in pregnant women. This prevents the pregnant woman
from coping with nausea and vomiting, and makes it difficult to adapt to pregnancy and
motherhood afterwards (Mete et al. 2009). Since its etiology is multifactorial,
symptomatic treatment is applied to cope with nausea and vomiting. Pregnant women mostly
do not prefer drug treatment because of the possibility of adversely affecting the fetus
and give more priority to non-drug methods (Timur and Kızılırmak 2011). In the
literature, it is stated that people tend to use non-drug methods such as hypnotherapy,
behavioral therapy, regulation of nutrition and life routines, massage, acupuncture and
herbal treatments to control nausea and vomiting (Aşcı and Özer 2011; Heuvel et al. 2016;
Mohammadbeıgı et al. 2011). ; Viljoen et al. 2014; Kia et al. 2014). Acupressure is also
one of the non-drug methods. In terms of ease of application and effectiveness,
acupressure emerges as a method used in the control of symptoms in different diseases
(Çalık and Kömürcü 2014). acupressure; It is a treatment method applied to points in
certain parts of the body with finger pressure or a band that can make this pressure.The
difference of the acupressure method from acupuncture is that by applying pressure to
certain points with the fingers and the palm of the hand instead of the needle, the
energy density collected in the region is distributed and the organs associated with the
relevant points are relieved in this way (Çalık and Kömürcü 2014; Arslan and Özdemir
2015). Acupressure method; it is an easy-to-apply, economical, and side-effect-free
method (Lee et al. 2008). Acupressure points used in cases such as nausea-vomiting; P6
(Pericardium 6 or Neigunan), CV8 (Shenque) and ST36 (Zusanli or Stomach 36) are the
points. Shenque (CV 8) is centrally located at the midpoint of the umbilicus, with a thin
stratum corneum and free of adipose tissue, so application is easy. In addition, the
application of pressure to this point with tape is very comfortable as it is an
application that the person can do by himself. There are studies showing that tape
compression technique used alone on the CV8 point can be used in women's health,
digestive and respiratory diseases (Wang and Liu 2013; Xin et al. 2011; Huang and Liu
2013; Wang et al. 2014; Yu et al. 2018; Engin 2021). According to the study published by
Wang et al. in 2014, 124 people who experienced nausea and vomiting due to amifostine
were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group consisting of 62 people was
asked to stick tapes prepared with ginger on the CV8 points.After the intervention, the
incidence of nausea and vomiting in the CV8 group was found to be significantly lower
than in the control group (Wang et al. 2014). In a case report published by Engin (2021),
in our country, a 5-year-old boy who applied to the pediatric outpatient clinic due to
motion sickness was recommended to stick a tape on the P6 and CV8 points. The application
was tried on the first trip after the recommendation and it was learned that he did not
have any complaints during the 7-hour drive on the road (Engin 2021).
Informing about what to do to reduce or eliminate nausea and vomiting, which is a common
problem in early pregnancy, is important in terms of alleviating or eliminating nausea
and vomiting and increasing the quality of life of pregnant women. Although there are
studies in the literature on general nausea-vomiting and motion sickness in childhood,
there is no study examining the effect of band-aid applied to the umbilical area
(Shenque-CV8 point) on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Therefore, the effect of the
Band-Aid applied to the umbilical area (Shenque-CV8 point) on nausea-vomiting during
pregnancy is wondered.The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a band-aid
applied to the umbilical area on nausea-vomiting during pregnancy. (Shenque-CV8 point)