The Effect of Birth Ball and Birth Dance Applied in the First Stage of Labor on Some Parameters

Amasya University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pain, Labor; Satisfaction, Patient

Treatments: Behavioral: Experimental (birth dance); Behavioral: Experimental (birth ball)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06085820

ozlemarı003

Details and patient eligibility

About

Aim: The study was conducted to investigate the effect of birth ball and birth dance practices applied in the first stage of labour on pain, mode of delivery, maternal satisfaction and duration of labour. Material and Method: This study was conducted as a randomised controlled clinical trial between July 2023 and December 2024. The population of the study consisted of pregnant women who applied to Amasya University Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Training and Research Hospital Delivery Department between January 2024 and August 2024. The sample group consisted of a total of 104 primiparous pregnant women, 35 A (round ball group), 33 B (birth dance group) and 36 C (control group), who met the inclusion criteria and were determined by power analysis. Data were collected by using 'Descriptive Information Form', 'Verbal Category Scale', 'Visual Analogue Scale', 'Partograph' and 'Maternal Satisfaction in Childbirth Assessment Scale'. Results: In active phase of labour, birth ball and birth dance practice caused a significant decrease in pain perceptions of pregnant women (p<0.05). It was determined that level of cervical dilatation progressed faster in pregnant women who were administered a round birth ball during labour compared to the other groups. It was also determined that application of birth ball and birth dance in labour accelerated level of fetal head descent in the active phase of labour, shortened duration of the active phase, affected the duration and number of contractions and did not affect labour satisfaction according to the cut-off score of the Maternal Satisfaction in Childbirth Assessment Scale.

Conclusion: The application of birth ball and birth dance in the active phase of labour was found to reduce labour pain, accelerate the level of fetal head descent, shorten duration of the active phase, and affect duration and number of contractions.

Full description

Birth ball and birth dance practices are among the primary methods used to provide freedom of movement to women during birth. These methods enable the woman to benefit from all the opportunities provided by the upright position and are important in the normal course of action. One of the main points of birth ball and birth dance practices is squatting. Squatting is a posture in which the legs are opened to the sides and the knees are bent. This position facilitates birth by widening the pelvic outlet.

A birthing ball is one of the methods that help mothers cope with labor pain. Exercise with a birthing ball is considered a useful, non-pharmacological strategy The main advantages of birthing ball exercise during pregnancy include postural corrections, relaxation, stretching and strengthening muscles. Sekendiz et al stated that movements performed with a birth ball increase the strength, resistance, flexibility and balance of the trunk, waist and quadriceps muscles. The use of a birth ball and similar non-pharmacological interventions reduce the need for epidural anesthesia, episiotomy and interventional birth. However, no side effects on mother and baby health have been reported

The birthing ball, also known as the Swiss ball and the Petzi ball, was developed in 1963 and has been used in physical applications of neurodevelopmental therapy. Perez and Simkin introduced the birthing ball as a birthing tool to professional birth assistants, midwives, nurses and students who provide childbirth education since the 1980s. Perez (2001) stated that the use of a birth ball during pregnancy and birth is physically beneficial.

Birth dance is one of the non-pharmacological practices that allows freedom of massage and position changes with the support of the spouse/partner. During the birth dance, the pregnant woman puts her hands on her partner's shoulders and performs pelvic tilt movements accompanied by music; His back and sacrum are massaged by his partner.

Dance, one of the non-pharmacological methods used in birth; It may be a way to reduce technological and medical interventions during labor while also promoting the progression of labor. In many cultures, an upright position during labor is common. An upright position and mobility during labor is recommended because this is likely to improve maternal and fetal circulation while also It also increases maternal comfort.

There are studies on birth ball and birth dance in the relevant literature. However, no study comparing birth dance and birth ball applications has been found in the literature.

Enrollment: 104 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Those who agree to participate in the research, are over 18 years old and speak Turkish,
• Primiparous pregnant women who do not have any physical or chronic disease and are in the latent phase,
• Pregnant women who do not have a risky pregnancy,
• 38-42. gestational age, singleton pregnant women,
• Absence of diagnosed fetal malformations,
• No medical problems at the beginning of the study,
• Amniotic membranes are not opened,
• Women who are at least primary school graduates will be included in the research.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women who received epidural analgesia in the first stage of labor,
• Pregnant women whose labor lasts less than 3 hours will not be included in the study.
• In case of any complications or cesarean section, the sample will be removed from the study.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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104 participants in 3 patient groups

Experimental (birth ball)

Experimental group

Description:

Group A * Meeting * The researcher will introduce himself/herself, provide information about the research and obtain verbal and written consent. * Privacy will be ensured * After the routine maintenance of the hospital is carried out in the latent phase, the researcher will first introduce the birthing ball to the pregnant women and the movements to be performed will be demonstrated by the researcher. Starting from the active phase, movements will be performed for 20 minutes every hour. During the contraction, there will be a break until the contraction ends, and the pregnant woman will be given the opportunity to rest in a comfortable position. The same movements will be applied again. The partograph will be recorded. VAS and VCS will be applied. * When the perineum is crowned, the pregnant woman will be taken to the table. * SEMSNB will be applied within 1-4 hours after birth.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Experimental (birth ball)

Experimental (birth dance)

Experimental group

Description:

Group B * Meeting * The researcher will introduce himself/herself, provide information about the research and obtain verbal and written consent. * Privacy will be ensured * The environment will be made suitable * The pregnant woman will be asked to wear slippers that make her feel comfortable. * Pregnant will be given training on how to perform the birth dance during the latent phase. VCS and VAS will be applied. Birth dance practice will be started on the pregnant woman starting from the active phase. * Starting from the active phase, the partograph will be recorded. * Birth dance cervical dilation will be performed for 20 minutes every hour, in the range of 5-8 cm. * At the end of the active phase, VCS and VAS will be applied again. The researcher will be with the pregnant woman throughout the application and labor. * When perineum is crowned, the pregnant woman will be taken to the delivery table. SEMSNB will be applied within 1-4 hours after birth.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Experimental (birth dance)

control group

No Intervention group

Description:

Midwifery Interventions Made to the Control Group * The pregnant woman will be greeted politely. * The researcher will introduce himself/herself, provide information about the research and obtain verbal and written consent. * Privacy will be ensured * An introductory information form will be filled out. * Routine monitoring and care will be provided by the medical staff working in the delivery room. * At the end of each phase (latent, active), GKS and SCS will be applied once. * EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring) will be applied in each phase. * Child Heart Sound (CHS) will be listened to every half hour and recorded on the partograph. * Cervical changes will be evaluated with bimanual examination and recorded on the partograph. * When the perineum is crowned, the pregnant woman will be taken to the table. * NDAMDÖ will be applied to women taken to the postpartum room within a period of 1-4 hours.