Using a birth ball to reduce pain perception in the latent phase of labour: a randomised controlled trial.
Women Birth
; 37(2): 379-386, 2024 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38092653
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Admission in the latent phase of labour is associated with higher rates of obstetric intervention. Women are frequently admitted due to pain. This study aimed to determine whether using a birth ball at home in the latent phase of labour reduces pain perception on admission.METHOD:
A prospective, pragmatic randomised controlled trial of 294 low risk pregnant women aged 18 and over planning a hospital birth. An animated educational video was offered at 36 weeks' gestation along with a birth ball. The primary outcome was pain on a Visual Analogue Scale on admission in labour. Participants who experienced a spontaneous labour were invited to respond to an online questionnaire 6 weeks' postpartum.RESULTS:
There were no differences in the mean pain scores; (6.3 versus 6.5; 90%CI -0.72 to 0.37 p = 0.6) or mean cervical dilatation on admission (4.7 cm versus 5.0 cm; 95% CI -1.1 to 0.5 p = 0.58). More Intervention participants were admitted in active labour (63.6% versus 55.7%; p = 0.28) and experienced an unassisted vaginal birth (70.3% v. 65.8%; p = 0.07) with fewer intrapartum caesarean sections (7.5% v. 17.9%; p = 0.07) although the trial was not powered to detect these differences in secondary outcomes. Most participants found the birth ball helpful (89.2%) and would use it in a future labour (92.5%).CONCLUSION:
Using the birth ball at home in the latent phase is a safe and acceptable strategy for labouring women to manage their labour, potentially postpone admission and reduce caesarean section. Further research is warranted.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Trabalho de Parto
/
Cesárea
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
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Female
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Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Women Birth
Assunto da revista:
ENFERMAGEM
/
OBSTETRICIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article