Breathing Exercises Guided by Student Midwives During Labor (BREATH)

Antalya Bilim University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Normal Labor; Childbirth; Labor Pain and to Reduce Pain

Treatments: Behavioral: Guided Breathing Exercises During Labor; Other: Routine Intrapartum Care

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07357246

2026-SS

1919B012324751 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of breathing exercises applied under the guidance of student midwives during labor on labor pain, labor duration, and birth satisfaction. The intervention group received structured breathing exercises guided by student midwives throughout labor, while the control group received routine intrapartum care. Outcomes were assessed during labor and in the early postpartum period

Full description

This study is designed to evaluate the effect of a midwifery-led intervention on labor pain intensity and birth satisfaction among women giving birth vaginally. The study will be conducted as a controlled clinical study in a maternity hospital setting. Eligible pregnant women who are admitted to the labor ward and meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate and will provide informed consent prior to enrollment.

The study aims to determine whether the midwifery-led intervention is associated with reduced labor pain intensity and improved birth satisfaction compared to routine care.

Enrollment: 90 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 18 years and older

Term pregnancy (≥37 weeks of gestation)

Singleton pregnancy

Planning vaginal birth

In the active phase of labor

Able to communicate and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• High-risk pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, placenta previa, severe medical complications)

Multiple pregnancy

Planned cesarean section

Use of pharmacological pain relief at admission (e.g., epidural analgesia)

Known fetal anomalies

Inability to participate in breathing exercises

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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90 participants in 2 patient groups

Breathing Exercises Guided by Student Midwives

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive structured breathing exercises in addition to routine intrapartum care. The breathing exercises will be guided by trained student midwives from admission to the labor ward until birth. The intervention will include slow-paced breathing, patterned breathing during contractions, and relaxation-focused breathing between contractions, with continuous guidance and encouragement provided according to a standardized protocol.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Guided Breathing Exercises During Labor

Routine Intrapartum Care

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive routine intrapartum care according to the standard clinical protocols of the maternity hospital. Routine care includes regular maternal and fetal monitoring, clinical assessment by midwives and obstetric staff, support during labor as per standard practice, and medical or obstetric interventions if clinically indicated. No structured breathing exercise program will be provided.

Treatment:

Other: Routine Intrapartum Care