Intervention Group Three different ball sizes, 55, 65 and 75 cm in diameter, were provided to the pregnant women, and the appropriate ball size was determined according to the height of the participant. In order for the pregnant woman to continue the balance exercises, they were allowed to sit on the round birth ball with their knees and hips at an angle of approximately 90°, with an upright spine. A birth ball of 55 cm was used for women between 150 and 160 cm in height, 65 cm for women between 160 and 170 cm, and 75 cm for women between 170 and 185 cm in height. Exercises with the round birth ball were guided by the researcher and the pregnant women performed the exercises in line with the guide.

These are the movements performed with the round birth ball in 3 different positions: sitting (pelvic rocking movement, forward-backward and right-to-left rocking, forward supported sitting, and springing motion), kneeling, and squatting (ball hugging and pelvic rocking motion).

Control Group

The followings were administered to the pregnant women in the Control Group after they were admitted to the hospital for delivery:

• Information was given about the research,
• Written consent was obtained,
• Routine practices and care were provided in the delivery room (taking anamnesis, taking vital signs, demonstrating correct breathing techniques, ensuring freedom of movement)
• Cervical changes were recorded on the partograph by vaginal examination,
• EFM (Electronic Fetal Monitoring) was applied based on doctor's orders,
• Fetal Heart Sound (FHS) was listened to every half hour and recorded on the partograph.

birth ball exercise used in childbirth

Assessed using personal information. This instrument includes questions about women's sociodemographic, obstetric and childbirth readiness characteristics.

Birth Follow-up Form was used to evaluate labor. This Birth Follow-up form is evaluating; partograph, effacement-dilatation at first admission to the hospital, presence of amniotic sac at first admission, presence of episiotomy, time from active phase of labor until dilation is complete, time until the baby's head comes out after full dilation.

Pain of pregnant women during labor was evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS scale, which would be applied to evaluate episiotomy pain in the postpartum period, was used to convert some values that cannot be measured numerically, and two-end definitions of the parameter to be evaluated are written at both ends of a 100 mm line. The participant was asked to indicate where his or her condition is suitable on this line by drawing a line or by placing a dot or pointing. "No pain" is written on one end and "very severe pain" on the opposite end; the participant was asked to mark the pain condition on this line.was used to convert some values that could not be measured numerically, and two-end definitions of the parameter to be evaluated are written at both ends of a 100 mm line.

Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire (CCQ) scales were applied to measure their comfort at the time of birth. The scale determines the comfort levels of women during childbirth. The real name of the scale is "Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire". The original scale consists of 14 items and is in a five-point Likert type. Each item is scored between 1-5.