Effects of Warm Shower on Lactation, Fatigue, and Maternal Burnout

NCT07694856 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: KaratayU-RCT-WarmShower-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Lactation is a physiological process in which various hormones, especially prolactin and oxytocin, play a role. Methods such as warm showers are preferred because they are easy to apply and have a quick effect, as well as being cost-effective. It increases the amount of milk by showing a direct effect on oxytocin and prolactin hormones in the breastfeeding process that strengthens the bond between mother and baby. It helps to make the breastfeeding process more enjoyable for mother and baby. Guidelines in the literature emphasize that the mother should be psychologically evaluated and that practices that can relax her according to her needs should be applied to increase breastfeeding success. In addition to hormonal regulation, a warm shower improves self-care. In this way, breastfeeding motivation increases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of warm showers in the morning and evening in the first 3 postpartum days on the amount of breast milk by shedding light on hormones and lactation process.

Conditions

Maternal Burnout; Postpartum Fatigue; Breastfeeding

Keywords

Breastfeeding; Lactation; Warm Shower; Oxytocin; Prolactin

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Maternal Burnout

  Maternal Burnout Scale (MBS). The Maternal Burnout Scale was used to assess maternal burnout levels. The scale consists of 15 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale and includes the dimensions of physical and emotional exhaustion, emotional distancing from the child, and reduced maternal accomplishment. Higher scores indicate higher levels of maternal burnout.

  Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.

• Lactation Onset Indicators

  Lactation onset indicators will be assessed as a composite outcome using the Lactation Assessment Form, which includes breast fullness, milk secretion characteristics, and post-feeding breast status.

  Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.

• Postpartum Fatigue

  Postpartum fatigue will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F), an 18-item instrument designed to assess fatigue. Higher scores indicate greater postpartum fatigue.

  Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.

• Infant breast milk intake score

  Infant breast milk intake will be assessed using the IMDAT Breast Milk Intake Scoring System. Higher scores indicate greater breast milk intake. Unit of

  Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, and on postpartum days 7 and 14.

Study Arms (2)

Warm Shower + Routine Postpartum Care

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive routine postpartum care plus a standardized warm shower intervention during the first three postpartum days. Women in the intervention group are instructed to take a warm shower (37-39°C) once daily for 10-15 minutes following confirmation of clinical stability and mobilization readiness. The intervention is delivered in addition to routine postpartum care and is intended to promote relaxation, physical comfort, maternal well-being, and lactation-related outcomes during the early postpartum period.

Behavioral: Warm Shower

Routine Postpartum Care (Control)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group receive routine postpartum care according to hospital protocol, including standard maternal and newborn monitoring, breastfeeding support, and postpartum recovery care. No warm shower intervention is administered.

Interventions

Warm Shower BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive routine postpartum care in addition to a standardized warm shower (37-39°C, 10-15 minutes) once daily during the first three postpartum days after cesarean birth.

Warm Shower + Routine Postpartum Care

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Having given birth between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation
• Having had a cesarean delivery
• Being a primipara
• Being admitted to the postpartum ward within the first 6 hours
• No physical or cognitive limitations preventing the ability to shower
• Providing written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Premature infant or infant in the neonatal intensive care unit
• Maternal history of infection, complications, or psychiatric diagnosis
• Physiological condition preventing breastfeeding

Sponsors & Collaborators

• KTO Karatay University: lead

Study Sites (1)

KTO Karatay University

Konya, Karatay, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Breast Feeding

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding Behavior; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc.Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 19, 2026
• First Posted: July 10, 2026
• Study Start: October 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 10, 2026
• Study Completion: June 15, 2026
• Last Updated: July 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)