MedPath

Effects of Massage and Shower on Birth Experience and Breastfeeding

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Pregnancy
Delivery Care
Registration Number
NCT07151144
Lead Sponsor
Sakarya University
Brief Summary

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

Detailed Description

Before the intervention (baseline during early labor),

Immediately after birth (for comfort and satisfaction),

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

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
120
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

-

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Birth Satisfactionup to 3 months

Evaluated using the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS), which measures a mother's satisfaction with her labor and delivery experience (The scale is a 30-item Likert-type scale. The lowest possible score is 30, and the highest is 150. A higher score indicates higher birth satisfaction.). The scale includes multiple dimensions such as quality of care, personal attributes, and stress experienced during labor.

25 September, 2025-15 December, 2025

Maternal Comfortup to 3 months

Maternal Comfort: Assessed through the Birth Comfort Scale, which evaluates physical, emotional, and environmental aspects of comfort experienced by the mother during labor (The scale is a 34-item Likert-type scale. The lowest possible score is 34, and the highest is 170. A higher score indicates higher postpartum comfort).

25 September, 2025-15 December, 2025

Breastfeeding Success:Within the first 2 hours postpartum

Measured within the first hours postpartum using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, which assesses five components: Latch, Audible swallowing, Type of nipple, Comfort (breast/nipple), and Hold (positioning).A low score indicates unsuccessful breastfeeding, while a high score indicates successful breastfeeding.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

MedPath

Empowering clinical research with data-driven insights and AI-powered tools.

© 2025 MedPath, Inc. All rights reserved.