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This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of guided breathing exercises applied during labor on maternal stress, pain, anxiety, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to a breathing exercise group or a routine care group. Maternal psychological outcomes and labor-related clinical outcomes were compared between groups.
Labor is a physiological process that may be accompanied by pain, anxiety, and psychological stress, which can negatively affect birth satisfaction and labor outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions such as breathing exercises are widely used to support women during labor.
In this randomized controlled experimental study, pregnant women admitted to the labor and delivery unit during the latent phase were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving guided breathing exercises throughout labor or a control group receiving routine intrapartum care only. Breathing exercises were applied continuously during uterine contractions until full cervical dilatation.
Maternal pain intensity, anxiety, traumatic birth perception, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes including labor duration and obstetric interventions were assessed using validated measurement tools. The study aimed to determine whether breathing exercises could improve maternal psychological well-being, enhance birth satisfaction, and positively influence labor outcomes.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breathing Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants received guided breathing exercises throughout labor in addition to routine intrapartum care. |
|
| Routine Care Group | No Intervention | Participants received routine intrapartum care only. No breathing exercises were applied. |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Breathing Exercises During Labor | Behavioral | Pregnant women were instructed and guided to perform slow, controlled breathing exercises during each uterine contraction from the latent phase until full cervical dilatation. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Satisfaction | Birth satisfaction assessed using the Short Form of the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS-R). Scores range from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate greater satisfaction. | During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth). |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Pain Intensity | Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Scores range from 0 to 10; higher scores indicate more severe pain. | Repeatedly during labor from admission to the labor unit until delivery. |
| Labor-Related Anxiety |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
female
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilgün Avcı | Istanbul | Turkey (Türkiye) |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D048949 | Labor Pain |
| D001008 | Anxiety Disorders |
| D013315 | Stress, Psychological |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D010146 | Pain |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
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Anxiety measured using the Oxford Worries About Labour Scale. Scores range from 10 to 40; higher scores indicate greater anxiety.
| During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth). |
| Traumatic Birth Perception | Traumatic birth perception measured using the Traumatic Birth Perception Scale. Scores range from 0 to 130; higher scores indicate greater traumatic perception. | At admission to the labor unit (baseline) and during the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth). |
| Fetal Heart Rate During NST | Fetal heart rate assessed from NST recordings during the monitoring session. Measured in beats per minute; normal patterns indicate better fetal well-being. | During the NST monitoring session (approximately 20 minutes, same visit). |
| Fetal Movement Count During NST | Number of fetal movements recorded by the mother using the event marker during NST monitoring. Higher counts indicate greater fetal activity. | During the NST monitoring session (approximately 20 minutes, same visit). |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
| D001526 | Behavioral Symptoms |
| D001519 | Behavior |