The Use of White Noise and Quiet Time During Labor

NCT07575594 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025/55
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 159
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Childbirth is defined as the process in which the fetus and its appendages are expelled from the uterus. The World Health Organization emphasizes that women should have a positive childbirth experience and recommends interventions that reduce pain and stress while increasing maternal satisfaction. White noise, defined as continuous and monotonous sounds such as wave, water, or wind sounds, and quiet time, described as periods in which environmental noise is minimized, have been shown to reduce pain and stress and improve satisfaction in various patient groups. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding their effects during labor. Therefore, this study was planned to evaluate the effects of white noise and quiet time interventions applied during labor on perceived labor pain, stress levels, and childbirth satisfaction.

Conditions

Labor Pain, Stress, Childbirth Satisfaction

Keywords

Quiet time; White noise; birth

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain level during labor

  Labor pain levels will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Measurements will be performed during the latent and active phases of labor at specific cervical dilation stages (4-10 cm).

  During labor, between 4-10 cm cervical dilation (latent and active phases)

Study Arms (3)

White Noise Group

Participants received white noise via Bluetooth headphones during active labor at 6 cm and 8 cm cervical dilation (15 minutes each, 50-65 dB). Pain and stress were assessed using VAS, and maternal satisfaction was evaluated postpartum.

Behavioral: White Noise Exposure

Quiet Time Group

At the beginning of the active phase (when cervical dilation was 4 cm), the participant was informed about the study and informed consent was obtained. The Demographic Information Form was completed, and pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), while stress was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Routine monitoring and standard care were provided. At 6 cm cervical dilation during the active phase, quiet time was provided for 15 minutes using Polter headphones. Routine monitoring and standard care were continued. At 8 cm cervical dilation during the active phase, quiet time was again provided for 15 minutes using Polter headphones. Routine monitoring and standard care were continued. After the intervention, pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and stress was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). At the second hour postpartum, the Maternal Satisfaction in Childbirth Scale was completed.

Behavioral: Quiet Time Intervention

Control Group

At the beginning of the active phase (when cervical dilation was 4 cm), the participant was informed about the study and informed consent was obtained. The Demographic Information Form was completed, and pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), while stress was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Routine monitoring and standard care were provided. The participant received routine care throughout the active phase. At the end of the phase, pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and stress was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Routine care was continued. At the second hour postpartum, the Maternal Satisfaction in Childbirth Scale was completed.

Interventions

White Noise Exposure BEHAVIORAL

Participants received white noise intervention during the active phase of labor. At 4 cm cervical dilation, informed consent was obtained and baseline assessments including Demographic Information Form, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and Visual Analogue Scale for stress were completed. Routine care was provided. At 6 cm and 8 cm cervical dilation, participants were exposed to white noise (50-65 dB) via Bluetooth headphones for 15 minutes each session. Routine monitoring and standard obstetric care were continued. After interventions, pain and stress were reassessed using VAS. At the second postpartum hour, maternal satisfaction was assessed using the Maternal Satisfaction in Childbirth Scale.

White Noise Group

Quiet Time Intervention BEHAVIORAL

Participants received quiet time intervention during the active phase of labor. At 4 cm cervical dilation, informed consent was obtained and baseline assessments including Demographic Information Form, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and Visual Analogue Scale for stress were completed. Routine care was provided. At 6 cm and 8 cm cervical dilation, a quiet environment was maintained using Polter headphones for 15 minutes per session. Routine monitoring and standard obstetric care were continued. After interventions, pain and stress were reassessed using VAS. At the second postpartum hour, maternal satisfaction was assessed using the Maternal Satisfaction in Childbirth Scale.

Quiet Time Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Hospital

You may qualify if:

• Pregnant women aged 18-35 years Pregnant women without a diagnosis of high-risk pregnancy Pregnant women with a gestational age between 37-42 weeks Pregnant women who will have a vaginal delivery Pregnant women in the active phase of labor Pregnant women who can speak or understand Turkish Pregnant women carrying a singleton fetus Primiparous women

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnant women in the latent phase of labor Pregnant women with hearing impairment Pregnant women who are illiterate Pregnant women with an indication for cesarean section Multiparous women

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Esenler Women's and Children's Diseases Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Labor Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Master's Student

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 2, 2026
• First Posted: May 8, 2026
• Study Start: November 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 11, 2026
• Study Completion: April 15, 2026
• Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)