Supportive Care During Childbirth in Syrian Migrant Women

This study is designed as a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. The study population will consist of Syrian migrant women admitted in active labor to the Delivery Unit of Yuregir State Hospital in Adana, Türkiye, who meet the eligibility criteria and provide written informed consent.

A total of 100 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (n=50) or control group (n=50). A variable block randomization procedure using block sizes of 4 and 6 will be used. Allocation concealment will be maintained using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes.

Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive structured supportive midwifery care provided by the researcher midwife throughout labor in addition to routine hospital care. The intervention consists of four main components: physical support, emotional support, informational and communication support, and advocacy. Physical support includes measures such as mobilization, position changes, breathing and relaxation techniques, massage, sacral pressure, touch, and other comfort measures according to the woman's needs. Emotional support includes continuous presence, reassurance, encouragement, empathetic communication, and respect for privacy. Informational support includes explanations about the labor process, procedures, breathing and pushing techniques, and early postpartum and breastfeeding education. Advocacy focuses on supporting women's preferences, participation in decision-making, privacy, and communication with healthcare professionals.

Participants assigned to the control group will receive the routine labor and postpartum care provided by the hospital without the additional structured supportive care intervention delivered by the researcher.

Study outcomes include childbirth satisfaction, breastfeeding success assessed using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, postpartum breastfeeding self-efficacy, and perceived stress. Data will be collected at predefined time points from the beginning of labor through the first 24 hours postpartum.

Inclusion criteria

• Syrian migrant women admitted to the Delivery Unit of Adana Yüreğir State Hospital due to labor.
• Aged 18 years or older.
• Gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks.
• Singleton, live pregnancy.
• Fetus in cephalic presentation.
• Spontaneous vaginal labor initiated and in the active phase of labor.
• Able to communicate in Arabic or Turkish at a level sufficient to understand the data collection instruments and the intervention to be applied.
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and providing informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Having a planned (elective) cesarean delivery decision at the time of admission.
• Having an obstetric condition contraindicating vaginal delivery.
• Having a high-risk pregnancy or labor condition, including severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, placenta previa, or placental abruption.
• Multiple pregnancy.
• Intrauterine fetal death or a major fetal anomaly incompatible with life.
• Having a maternal or fetal clinical condition requiring emergency obstetric intervention at the time of admission for labor.
• Having a cognitive impairment or severe psychiatric condition that would prevent participation, communication, or the informed consent process.