Standing vs. Squatting Positions During Labor

Biruni University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Labor Position and Maternal Birth Experience

Treatments: Behavioral: Squatting Position During Labor; Behavioral: Standing Position During Labor

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07383181

Standing vs. Squatting Positio

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: Maternal position during labor is a key non-pharmacological strategy that supports physiological birth and women's active participation in the childbirth process. Although upright positions have been associated with favorable labor outcomes compared with supine positions, evidence directly comparing different upright positions-particularly in relation to maternal birth experience and perceived traumatic birth-remains limited.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of standing and squatting positions during the first stage of labor on the birth process, birth comfort, pain intensity, and perceived traumatic birth experience among multiparous women.

Methods: This study was conducted using a comparative interventional design. A total of 82 multiparous women were included and allocated to either the standing group (n=41) or the squatting group (n=41) during labor. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Labor Comfort Scale, and the Traumatic Birth Perception Scale. Outcomes were assessed during labor and within the first two hours postpartum. Statistical analyses included comparative and correlation analyses.

Enrollment: 82 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Multiparous women aged ≥18 years
• Gestational age between 38 and 42 weeks
• Singleton pregnancy with cephalic presentation
• Cervical dilatation ≥4 cm at admission
• Low-risk pregnancy
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Multiple pregnancy
• Presentation anomalies
• High-risk pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta-related complications)
• Fetal distress or known fetal anomalies
• Any medical or obstetric condition requiring restricted mobility during labor

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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82 participants in 2 patient groups

Standing Position Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants assigned to this group followed a standing position-based labor management approach during the first stage of labor.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standing Position During Labor

Squatting Position Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants assigned to this group followed a squatting position-based labor management approach during the first stage of labor.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Squatting Position During Labor