Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07571785

Showering During Labor

This study examined whether showering during labor affects pain, anxiety, comfort, satisfaction, and labor outcomes in women undergoing vaginal birth. Non-pharmacological methods are commonly used to support women during labor, and warm showering may help reduce discomfort and emotional distress during the labor process.

In this randomized controlled trial, pregnant women in active labor were assigned either to a shower group or to a control group receiving routine labor care. Women in the shower group were allowed to shower during labor under standardized conditions, while the control group received routine intrapartum care without showering. Pain and anxiety levels were assessed repeatedly during labor, while comfort and birth satisfaction were evaluated during and after birth using validated measurement tools.

The results of this study aim to contribute to evidence-based intrapartum care practices by evaluating the role of showering as a supportive intervention during labor.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Labor Childbirth

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

State Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Istanbul

Istanbul, 34010, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Women admitted to the labor unit during the study period
  • Term pregnancy (37-41 weeks)
  • Planned vaginal birth
  • Cervical dilation greater than 5 cm
  • Volunteered to participate and provided informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to communicate in Turkish
  • Hearing or mental health conditions
  • Conversion from vaginal birth to cesarean section
  • Age under 18 years
  • High-risk pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia, diabetes, hypertension, multiple pregnancy, placental abnormalities)
  • Use of epidural anesthesia

Treatment and study plan

Showering During Labor

Behavioral

Participants were allowed to shower during active labor (cervical dilation >5 cm) in a private bathroom within the labor room. Showering was permitted at the participant's preference, for at least 20 minutes per session, with water temperature maintained between 35-40°C. Safety measures were implemented, including accompaniment by a companion or researcher.

Primary outcomes

  1. Labor Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Every 2 hours during labor (up to 8 hours) and immediately before and after each shower session during the same labor admission.

    Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during labor.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Anxiety Level During Labor

    Time frame: Every 2 hours during labor (up to 8 hours) and immediately before and after each shower session during the same labor admission.

    Anxiety assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during labor.

  2. Maternal Comfort During Labor

    Time frame: At 10 minutes after the first shower session during active labor

    Maternal comfort assessed using the Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire.

  3. Birth Satisfaction

    Time frame: 2 hours postpartum.

    Birth satisfaction assessed using the Birth Satisfaction Scale.

  4. Duration of Labor

    Time frame: From admission to the labor unit until delivery.

    Total duration of labor measured in hours, obtained from clinical records.

  5. Mode of Delivery

    Time frame: At delivery.

    Type of delivery (vaginal or cesarean) recorded from clinical records.

  6. Use of Obstetric Interventions

    Time frame: During labor and recorded at delivery.

    Use of obstetric interventions (e.g., induction, augmentation, episiotomy) recorded from clinical records.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nilgun Avci

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Showering During Labor on Pain, Anxiety, Comfort, Satisfaction, and Labor Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
May 6, 2026
Registry last updated
May 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.