Do Peanut Shaped Birthing Balls Reduce the Length of Labor in Patients With Epidural Analgesia?

Do Peanut Shaped Birthing Balls Reduce the Length of Labor in Patients With Epidural Analgesia?

Labor patients who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria will be consented to be participate in this study to determine if the use of a peanut shaped birthing ball reduces the length of labor and reduces the incidence of cesarean section. Subjects will be randomized at the time of consent to either use the birthing ball or not use the birthing ball from the time of labor analgesia until complete cervical dilation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• nulliparous
• >/= 18 years of age
• not allergic to medications used for labor analgesia
• no contraindications to labor analgesia
• ASA I-II
• EGA >/= 37 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• under age 18
• Spanish speaking only
• multiparous
• EGA <37 weeks