Effect of birthing ball exercises versus conventional physiotherapy on maternal and neonatal outcomes in healthy antenatal mothers A Randomized Control Trial

The rising prevalence of labor complications and cesarean deliveries calls for simple, safe, and cost effective interventions to support natural childbirth. Birthing ball exercises have shown potential in reducing pain, shortening the duration of labor, and enhancing maternal satisfaction, yet their use in routine antenatal care remains limited. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of birthing ball exercises with conventional physiotherapy in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes among antenatal women. The objectives are to evaluate maternal outcomes such as duration of labor, type of delivery, intensity of labor pain, and perception of childbirth along with neonatal outcomes including Apgar score at five minutes and the rate of NICU admissions. The research question focuses on whether birthing ball exercises are more effective than conventional physiotherapy. The null hypothesis states that no significant difference exists between the two groups while the alternative hypothesis proposes a significant difference in outcomes.