Effect of Nonpharmacological Methods on The Active Phase Of Labour

Summary

The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of methods such as exercise and hot showers applied during the active phase of labour on labour pain, labour duration, mode of delivery, newborn health, and the labour experience. In addition, the safety of these methods in terms of maternal and infant health will also be observed.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do exercise and warm shower applications reduce labour pain?

Do these methods shorten the duration of labour?

Is there a relationship between exercise and warm shower applications and the mode of delivery (vaginal birth/caesarean section)?

Do these practices affect the newborn's APGAR score?

Do women who use these methods have a more positive birth experience?

Participants:

Women who have started labour, are between 38 and 42 weeks pregnant, are expecting a single baby, and are having their first birth.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups:

Exercise

Warm shower

Exercise + warm shower

Pharmacological intervention (control group)

What is expected of participants:

Participate in exercise, warm shower, breathing exercises, and massage applications (depending on the group they are in) throughout the labour process

Participate in monitoring and evaluations during clinical check-ups

Complete postpartum questionnaires and scales related to the birth experience

This clinical study is being conducted to scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods used during childbirth and to improve the birth experience.

Conditions

• Labour Pains
• Massage
• Exercise

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Exercise Programme

Midwifery care, breathing exercises, massage and exercise applications were performed on pregnant women in this group during the active phase of labour. Following breathing exercises, massage was applied for 10 minutes using different techniques according to rest and contraction intervals. Pain levels were assessed using the VAS before and after massage. After the massage, the exercise session began; the pregnant woman was first walked along a 50-metre corridor, followed by squatting, squat, four-legged positions, wall stretching movements, and pelvic tilt, swaying, and leg stretching exercises using a Pilates ball. Pain levels were measured using the VAS before and after all exercise applications.

BEHAVIORAL

Hot Shower Programme

In addition to midwifery care, breathing exercises, massage, and hot showers were administered in this group. Massage was administered for 10 minutes after the breathing exercises, and pain levels were measured using the VAS before and after the massage. After the massage, considering the risk of the pregnant woman falling, she was seated on a stool in the shower, and warm water at a temperature of 36.5-37.8 °C was applied to the lower abdomen and sacrum region during contractions for 15 minutes. To prevent chills, the application was repeated at 10-minute intervals, and pain levels before and after were again assessed using the VAS.

BEHAVIORAL

Combined Application (Exercise + Hot Shower)

In addition to midwifery care, breathing exercises, massage, exercise and hot shower treatments were performed for this group. As in Groups 1 and 2, the application began with breathing exercises, followed by massage, exercise, and hot showers in sequence. Pain levels were assessed using the VAS before and after each application, and measurements were taken again during the massage. Ten-minute breaks were given between applications to allow the pregnant women to rest, and the applications were continued alternately.

BEHAVIORAL

Pharmacological Intervention

In this study, the fourth group was evaluated as the intervention 4 group and was followed up in accordance with standard interventions frequently applied during the birth process. Pregnant women in this group received routine midwifery care, massage treatments to promote relaxation, and breathing exercises in accordance with hospital protocols. In addition, pharmacological pain management methods commonly used in the clinic were also applied in this group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uskudar University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Days

Max Age

45 Days

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-01-27

Primary Completion

2024-02-12

Completion

2025-05-28

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations