Impact of Scheduled Maternal Position Changes Using a Peanut Ball on Labor Outcomes in First-Time Mothers Receiving Epidural Analgesia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether using a peanut birthing ball with scheduled maternal position changes during labor can improve outcomes for first-time mothers receiving epidural analgesia. The study aims to determine if this approach can reduce the duration of the first and second stages of labor and affect the mode of delivery as well as maternal and newborn health. This is a non-invasive, randomized controlled trial conducted at the Womens Wellness and Research Center in Qatar. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive scheduled position changes using a peanut birthing ball placed between the legs, with positions including left lateral, right lateral, semi-sitting, and Taylor positions, changed every 30-60 minutes under staff supervision. The control group will receive standard labor care without the use of the peanut ball or structured position changes. During the study, participants will be closely monitored with continuous fetal and maternal assessments. Researchers will record labor duration, delivery type, oxytocin use, blood loss, perineal trauma, and hospital costs. Newborn assessments will include Apgar scores, NICU admission, birth injuries, and umbilical cord blood pH. Data will be collected in real time and analyzed to compare outcomes between groups, aiming to inform best practices for labor care with epidural analgesia.

Scheduled Positioning With a Peanutball(SPP) on Labor Outcomes Among Primiparous Women Under Epidural Analgesia