The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels

NCT07446699 | Active Not Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: TR SİVAS 09
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 128
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels

Conditions

Labor Pains; Childbirth; Duration of Labor; Fatigue During Childbirth; Pushing During Childbirth

Keywords

duration of labor; pain; pushing; fatigue

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Visual Analogue Scale

  It is used to assess pain intensity. The scale is graded from 0 to 10 cm in length, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the most severe pain. It is applied by having the individual mark a point corresponding to the intensity of the pain they feel. The distance between the marked point and the lowest end of the line is measured in centimeters, and the resulting numerical value indicates the patient's pain intensity.

  Baseline

• Visual Similarity Scale for Fatigue

  The Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue consists of 18 items. 13 items form the fatigue subscale, and five items form the energy subscale. The most positive and the most negative statements are located at opposite ends of the scale, and horizontal lines with 10 cm intervals are placed between the two statements. A high score on the fatigue subscale and a low score on the energy subscale indicate a higher intensity of fatigue. The minimum score for the fatigue subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 130; the minimum score for the energy subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 50.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Visual Analogue Scale

  In the fourth stage of labor

• Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue

  In the fourth stage of labor

Study Arms (2)

Spontaneous pushing group

EXPERIMENTAL

This is the type of pushing that a pregnant woman does by making sounds and exhaling. The pregnant woman pushes spontaneously, and the intensity of the push is consistent with the contractions. Although contractions occur during spontaneous pushing, the pregnant woman does not push until she feels the urge to push. Pushing occurs with the urge to push. The pregnant woman begins to push with her resting breath.

Behavioral: Spontaneous straining

Valsalva straining group

EXPERIMENTAL

This is the type of pushing performed by the pregnant woman while holding her breath. This type of pushing is generally considered by healthcare professionals as directed pushing. The researcher will guide the woman on when and how to push.

Behavioral: Valsalva type pushing

Interventions

Spontaneous straining BEHAVIORAL

In this pushing method, pregnant women remain in a squatting position during the second stage of labor. The researcher provides the women with information about spontaneous pushing. The women will be supported in spontaneous pushing, and their urge to push will be taken into consideration. In spontaneous pushing: Regular breathing until the urge to push is felt when contractions begin, inhaling and contracting the core muscles, pushing slowly, exhaling smoothly while contracting during pushing, pushing for 5-6 seconds while exhaling, pushing smoothly and regularly for 5-6 seconds while inhaling and exhaling, and regular breathing when contractions slow down.

Spontaneous pushing group

Valsalva type pushing BEHAVIORAL

* When contractions begin, take two regular breaths, * Then take a deep breath and hold it, * Tighten your diaphragm and abdominal muscles, * Push as hard and for as long as possible (10-15 seconds), * Continue holding your breath while pushing (glottis closed), * Exhale, take a deep breath, continue holding your breath, * Push hard again for 10-15 seconds, * Stop pushing when contractions ease, * Relax and try to rest until the next contraction.

Valsalva straining group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Being between 19-35 years old
• Having had a normal vaginal delivery,
• Being between 38-41 weeks pregnant,
• Having a cervical dilation of 8 cm or more,
• Being nulliparous,
• Having a singleton pregnancy,
• Not having a diagnosed physical health problem in the fetus or mother,
• Not having a diagnosed mental health problem in the mother,
• Not having hearing or perception problems,
• Volunteering to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Being under 19 or over 35 years of age,
• Having undergone a planned cesarean section,
• Being gestational age between 38 and 41 weeks,
• Cervical dilation less than 8 cm,
• Being multiparous,
• Having a multiple pregnancy,
• Having a diagnosed physical health problem in the fetus or mother,
• Having a diagnosed mental health problem in the mother,
• Having hearing and perception problems,
• Not being a volunteer to participate in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cumhuriyet University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Sivas, 58140, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Labor Pain; Pain; Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Sukran Ertekin Pinar, Prof. Dr.

  Cumhuriyet University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof. Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 18, 2026
• First Posted: March 3, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 30, 2026
• Study Completion: July 30, 2026
• Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)