Effects of Massage and Shower on Birth Experience and Breastfeeding

Sakarya University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Delivery Care; Pregnancy

Treatments: Other: Shower; Other: Massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07151144

Eda Gökmen

Details and patient eligibility

About

Study Design This study is a quasi-experimental research designed to examine the effects of massage and warm shower-used as non-pharmacological methods during labor-on birth satisfaction, maternal comfort, and breastfeeding success.

tudy Population

The study was conducted in the delivery unit of a public hospital in Turkey in 2025. The sample consisted of women who were experiencing their first pregnancy and giving birth for the first time. Inclusion criteria were as follows:

Between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation,

Low-risk, singleton pregnancies,

Planned for vaginal delivery,

No significant obstetric complications during pregnancy,

Voluntarily agreed to participate in the study.

A total of 120 participants were randomly assigned into three groups:

Massage Group (n=430): Received massage during labor.

Shower Group (n=40): Took a warm shower during labor.

Control Group (n=40): Received routine standard hospital care without any additional intervention.

Data Collection Tools

Data were collected using the following instruments:

Personal Information Form

Birth Satisfaction Scale

Birth Comfort Scale

Breastfeeding Success Scale Intervention Massage Group: During the active phase of labor (cervical dilation of 4-7 cm), participants received 15-minute sessions of light-pressure massage to the lower back, sacrum, and lumbar area at regular intervals.

Shower Group: During the same phase, participants were assisted to take a warm shower for approximately 20 minutes.

Control Group: Received routine intrapartum care with no additional non-pharmacological intervention

Full description

Before the intervention (baseline during early labor),

Immediately after birth (for comfort and satisfaction),

Within the first 2 hours postpartum (for breastfeeding success).

Enrollment: 120 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 19 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation,

Low-risk, singleton pregnancies,

Planned for vaginal delivery,

No significant obstetric complications during pregnancy,

Voluntarily agreed to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

-

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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120 participants in 2 patient groups

intervention group

Experimental group

Description:

Massage and Showe

Treatment:

Other: Massage

Other: Shower

Control group

No Intervention group

Description:

Control group