Childbirth, Labor
Conditions
Brief summary
This study examined whether showering during labor affects pain, anxiety, comfort, satisfaction, and labor outcomes in women undergoing vaginal birth. Non-pharmacological methods are commonly used to support women during labor, and warm showering may help reduce discomfort and emotional distress during the labor process. In this randomized controlled trial, pregnant women in active labor were assigned either to a shower group or to a control group receiving routine labor care. Women in the shower group were allowed to shower during labor under standardized conditions, while the control group received routine intrapartum care without showering. Pain and anxiety levels were assessed repeatedly during labor, while comfort and birth satisfaction were evaluated during and after birth using validated measurement tools. The results of this study aim to contribute to evidence-based intrapartum care practices by evaluating the role of showering as a supportive intervention during labor.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALShowering During Labor
Participants were allowed to shower during active labor (cervical dilation \>5 cm) in a private bathroom within the labor room. Showering was permitted at the participant's preference, for at least 20 minutes per session, with water temperature maintained between 35-40°C. Safety measures were implemented, including accompaniment by a companion or researcher.
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
* Women admitted to the labor unit during the study period * Term pregnancy (37-41 weeks) * Planned vaginal birth * Cervical dilation greater than 5 cm * Volunteered to participate and provided informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Inability to communicate in Turkish * Hearing or mental health conditions * Conversion from vaginal birth to cesarean section * Age under 18 years * High-risk pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, diabetes, hypertension, multiple pregnancy, placental abnormalities) * Use of epidural anesthesia
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Pain Intensity | Every 2 hours during labor (up to 8 hours) and immediately before and after each shower session during the same labor admission. | Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during labor. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety Level During Labor | Every 2 hours during labor (up to 8 hours) and immediately before and after each shower session during the same labor admission. | Anxiety assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during labor. |
| Maternal Comfort During Labor | At 10 minutes after the first shower session during active labor | Maternal comfort assessed using the Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire. |
| Birth Satisfaction | 2 hours postpartum. | Birth satisfaction assessed using the Birth Satisfaction Scale. |
| Duration of Labor | From admission to the labor unit until delivery. | Total duration of labor measured in hours, obtained from clinical records. |
| Mode of Delivery | At delivery. | Type of delivery (vaginal or cesarean) recorded from clinical records. |
| Use of Obstetric Interventions | During labor and recorded at delivery. | Use of obstetric interventions (e.g., induction, augmentation, episiotomy) recorded from clinical records. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed