The Effect of Chewing Gum and Use of Stress Balls on Perception of Labor Pain, Fear of Birth, and Duration of Delivery

The Effect of Chewing Gum and Use of Stress Balls on Perception of Labor Pain, Fear of Birth, and Duration of Delivery

This study was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study. This study was planned to determine the effects of chewing gum and using a stress ball on the perception of labor pain, duration of labor and birth satisfaction. The population of the study consisted of primiparous mothers who applied to the hospital. This study was planned to determine the effects of chewing gum and using a stress ball on the perception of labor pain, duration of labor and birth satisfaction. The study was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, the data were collected in the delivery room, and in the second stage, the postpartum satisfaction levels of the mothers were measured in the postpartum service. The sample number of the investigators' study was determined as 96. Visual analog scale, birth satisfaction scale and birth follow-up form were used for the data of our study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being primiparous to be in due time
• To have spontaneous vaginal delivery
• Ability to communicate verbally be between the ages of 18-35
• Not having a risky pregnancy
• Having a single fetus in the vertex position
• Having started contractions and continuing regularly
• Being in the latent phase of action (0-4 cm dilatation)
• Not having used any analgesia or using any pain medication to reduce pain during labor

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mothers who have a cesarean section decision
• Risky Pregnant
• Multiple Pregnancies
• Multiparous pregnant women