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NCT Number: NCT07446699

The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels

The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Childbirth Duration of Labor Fatigue Fatigue During Childbirth Labor Pain Labor Pains Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pushing During Childbirth Signs and Symptoms

Age range

19 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Sivas, 58140, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study will be conducted with women who have given birth. The research is designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample will consist of women who apply to the maternity ward of a hospital in Turkey for normal delivery. A total of 128 women are planned to be included in the study, divided into two groups: 64 in the spontaneous pushing group and 64 in the Valsalva pushing group. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, a Visual Analog Scale, and a Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue. The pushing methods used during childbirth will be taught to the women by the researcher, and then they will be asked to practice them. The forms will be administered during the latent phase and the fourth stage of labor.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Being between 19-35 years old
  • Having had a normal vaginal delivery,
  • Being between 38-41 weeks pregnant,
  • Having a cervical dilation of 8 cm or more,
  • Being nulliparous,
  • Having a singleton pregnancy,
  • Not having a diagnosed physical health problem in the fetus or mother,
  • Not having a diagnosed mental health problem in the mother,
  • Not having hearing or perception problems,
  • Volunteering to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Being under 19 or over 35 years of age,
  • Having undergone a planned cesarean section,
  • Being gestational age between 38 and 41 weeks,
  • Cervical dilation less than 8 cm,
  • Being multiparous,
  • Having a multiple pregnancy,
  • Having a diagnosed physical health problem in the fetus or mother,
  • Having a diagnosed mental health problem in the mother,
  • Having hearing and perception problems,
  • Not being a volunteer to participate in the study.

Treatment and study plan

Spontaneous straining

Behavioral

In this pushing method, pregnant women remain in a squatting position during the second stage of labor. The researcher provides the women with information about spontaneous pushing. The women will be supported in spontaneous pushing, and their urge to push will be taken into consideration. In spontaneous pushing:

Regular breathing until the urge to push is felt when contractions begin, inhaling and contracting the core muscles, pushing slowly, exhaling smoothly while contracting during pushing, pushing for 5-6 seconds while exhaling, pushing smoothly and regularly for 5-6 seconds while inhaling and exhaling, and regular breathing when contractions slow down.

Valsalva type pushing

Behavioral
  • When contractions begin, take two regular breaths,
  • Then take a deep breath and hold it,
  • Tighten your diaphragm and abdominal muscles,
  • Push as hard and for as long as possible (10-15 seconds),
  • Continue holding your breath while pushing (glottis closed),
  • Exhale, take a deep breath, continue holding your breath,
  • Push hard again for 10-15 seconds,
  • Stop pushing when contractions ease,
  • Relax and try to rest until the next contraction.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale

    Time frame: Baseline

    It is used to assess pain intensity. The scale is graded from 0 to 10 cm in length, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the most severe pain. It is applied by having the individual mark a point corresponding to the intensity of the pain they feel. The distance between the marked point and the lowest end of the line is measured in centimeters, and the resulting numerical value indicates the patient's pain intensity.

  2. Visual Similarity Scale for Fatigue

    Time frame: Baseline

    The Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue consists of 18 items. 13 items form the fatigue subscale, and five items form the energy subscale. The most positive and the most negative statements are located at opposite ends of the scale, and horizontal lines with 10 cm intervals are placed between the two statements. A high score on the fatigue subscale and a low score on the energy subscale indicate a higher intensity of fatigue. The minimum score for the fatigue subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 130; the minimum score for the energy subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 50.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale

    Time frame: In the fourth stage of labor

    It is used to assess pain intensity. The scale is graded from 0 to 10 cm in length, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the most severe pain. It is applied by having the individual mark a point corresponding to the intensity of the pain they feel. The distance between the marked point and the lowest end of the line is measured in centimeters, and the resulting numerical value indicates the patient's pain intensity.

  2. Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue

    Time frame: In the fourth stage of labor

    The Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue consists of 18 items. 13 items form the fatigue subscale, and five items form the energy subscale. The most positive and the most negative statements are located at opposite ends of the scale, and horizontal lines with 10 cm intervals are placed between the two statements. A high score on the fatigue subscale and a low score on the energy subscale indicate a higher intensity of fatigue. The minimum score for the fatigue subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 130; the minimum score for the energy subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 50.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cumhuriyet University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 8, 2026

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

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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.

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