Actively Recruiting
The Effect of Hot Sacral Massage With Cherry Pits and Shower Application With Partner Support on Perceived Labor Pain, Birth Experience, and Birth Comfort
Led by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · Updated on 2025-09-10
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the effects of warm sacral massage using cherry pits and partner-supported showering on perceived labor pain, birth experience, and comfort during childbirth. The study involves 150 pregnant women divided into three groups to compare these interventions with standard midwifery care. Participants are primiparous women in active labor at term with a single fetus in cephalic presentation and no analgesia used during labor. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: the shower group receives a partner-administered shower on the back, abdomen, or whole body twice during labor with water between 32-37°C; the massage group receives sacral massage with cherry pit-filled pouches twice during labor; and the control group receives routine hospital midwifery care without additional interventions. Each intervention occurs at specific cervical dilation points (4-5 cm and 7-8 cm) and lasts about 20 minutes. During labor, vital signs and pain levels using the Visual Analog Scale are monitored multiple times by midwives not involved in the study. After delivery and before transfer to the maternity ward, all participants complete the Birth Experience Scale and Birth Comfort Scale. The study tracks maternal comfort, pain perception, and birth experience to assess the impact of these supportive interventions during labor.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effects of Hot Sacral Massage and Shower Application With Partner Support on Labor
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Volunteering to participate in the study
- Expectation of spontaneous vaginal delivery
- Estimated fetal weight between 2500-4000 grams by ultrasound
- Single fetus and cephalic presentation
- Term pregnancy (between 37-42 weeks of gestation)
- Being in the active phase of labor (cervical dilation of 4 cm)
- No analgesia or anesthesia used during the first stage of labor
- No skin disease or open wound preventing massage or showering
You will not qualify if you...
- Having undergone infertility treatment
- Delivery by cesarean section for any reason during labor
- Being multiparous
- Having any systemic, chronic, or neurological disease such as Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Thyroid disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy
- Regular medication use due to any illness
- Active psychiatric treatment (pharmacotherapy/psychotherapy)
- Any induction that may affect uterine contractions and dilation
- Any pregnancy complications such as placenta previa, preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, oligohydramnios, and polyhydramnios
- Interventional delivery (forceps, vacuum)
- Any problem that hinders communication such as not knowing Turkish, hearing, speech, and comprehension disorders
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - During active labor (from 4 cm cervical dilation until delivery)
Participants receive either partner-assisted shower application, hot sacral massage with cherry pits, or routine midwifery care during active labor. Shower and massage are applied twice: once when cervical dilation is 4-5 cm and repeated at 7-8 cm. Vital signs are monitored hourly during labor. Pain levels are assessed four times during the first stage of labor.
1 labor admission and observation period with 2 intervention applications and hourly monitoring
Duration - Short period after delivery before ward transfer
After delivery and before transfer to the maternity ward, participants complete questionnaires assessing birth experience and comfort.
1 post-delivery assessment visit
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa
Istanbul, Büyükçekmece, Turkey (Türkiye)
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
N
Neriman Güdücü, PhD.
B
Buket Hasmili, Master Student
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
3
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