Anxiety, Labor Pain, Stress, Psychological
Conditions
Keywords
Breathing exercises, Labor, Birth satisfaction, Non-pharmacological intervention, Intrapartum care
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of guided breathing exercises applied during labor on maternal stress, pain, anxiety, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to a breathing exercise group or a routine care group. Maternal psychological outcomes and labor-related clinical outcomes were compared between groups.
Detailed description
Labor is a physiological process that may be accompanied by pain, anxiety, and psychological stress, which can negatively affect birth satisfaction and labor outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions such as breathing exercises are widely used to support women during labor. In this randomized controlled experimental study, pregnant women admitted to the labor and delivery unit during the latent phase were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving guided breathing exercises throughout labor or a control group receiving routine intrapartum care only. Breathing exercises were applied continuously during uterine contractions until full cervical dilatation. Maternal pain intensity, anxiety, traumatic birth perception, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes including labor duration and obstetric interventions were assessed using validated measurement tools. The study aimed to determine whether breathing exercises could improve maternal psychological well-being, enhance birth satisfaction, and positively influence labor outcomes.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALGuided Breathing Exercises During Labor
Pregnant women were instructed and guided to perform slow, controlled breathing exercises during each uterine contraction from the latent phase until full cervical dilatation.
Sponsors
Nilgun Avci
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Pregnant women admitted to the labor and delivery unit during the latent phase * Women planning vaginal birth * Volunteered to participate
Exclusion criteria
* Women who did not speak Turkish * Women with auditory or mental health problems
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Satisfaction | During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth). | Birth satisfaction assessed using the Short Form of the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS-R). Scores range from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate greater satisfaction. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Pain Intensity | Repeatedly during labor from admission to the labor unit until delivery. | Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Scores range from 0 to 10; higher scores indicate more severe pain. |
| Labor-Related Anxiety | During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth). | Anxiety measured using the Oxford Worries About Labour Scale. Scores range from 10 to 40; higher scores indicate greater anxiety. |
| Traumatic Birth Perception | At admission to the labor unit (baseline) and during the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth). | Traumatic birth perception measured using the Traumatic Birth Perception Scale. Scores range from 0 to 130; higher scores indicate greater traumatic perception. |
| Fetal Heart Rate During NST | During the NST monitoring session (approximately 20 minutes, same visit). | Fetal heart rate assessed from NST recordings during the monitoring session. Measured in beats per minute; normal patterns indicate better fetal well-being. |
| Fetal Movement Count During NST | During the NST monitoring session (approximately 20 minutes, same visit). | Number of fetal movements recorded by the mother using the event marker during NST monitoring. Higher counts indicate greater fetal activity. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed