Effects of Pilates Ball and Sacral Massage Applications on Labor Pain, Labor Duration and Childbirth Satisfaction

Launched by EGE UNIVERSITY · Apr 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of using a Pilates ball and manual sacral massage during labor to see if they can help reduce pain, shorten the duration of labor, and increase overall satisfaction with childbirth. The research will take place in two public hospitals in Gaziantep, Turkey, from December 2024 to May 2025. A total of 105 pregnant women will participate, divided into three groups: one will use a Pilates ball, another will receive sacral massage, and the third group will not receive any special treatment and will serve as a comparison.

To be eligible for this trial, women must be between 18 and 35 years old, be at term (38-41 weeks pregnant), and having their first baby with no complications during pregnancy. They will be monitored during the active phase of labor, which is when contractions are strong and regular. Participants can expect to receive either the Pilates ball or sacral massage during labor, and all women will complete surveys about their pain levels and overall satisfaction afterward. This study aims to provide valuable insights that could improve the childbirth experience for future mothers.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnant women over 18 years old and under 35 years old
• • Term pregnancies (38-41 weeks gestation)
• • Primiparous
• • Those with a single live fetus
• • Vertex development
• • Those who do not have any risk factors during pregnancy (Dermatological disease, Preeclampsia, active membrane rupture, oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios, gestational diabetes, placental anomalies, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine dead fetus, macrosomic babies, fetal distress, etc.)
• • Those who do not have any obstacles for Pilates ball application
• • Those who do not have any chronic diseases (Hypertension, DM, ...)
• • Those in the active phase of labor, those who have at least 1 hour of labor follow-up
• • Pregnant women who voluntarily accept to participate in the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Indications for Caesarean section (such as presentation disorder, breech presentation)
• • Those who underwent induction
• • Those whose labor duration was shorter than 1 hour or longer than 8 hours
• • Those who underwent vacuum forceps or shoulder insertion