Background: The birth ball is known to enhance labor efficiency, promote maternal comfort,
and facilitate fetal head descent. Aim of study: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an
evidence-based guideline for birth ball exercises during the 1st stage of labor on the outcome of
birthing criteria. Design: An experimental research design was adopted to achieve research’s aim
Sample: The study included two hurried laboring women selected through Anon-probability
purposive sample divided into two equal groups: intervention and control. Setting: The research
was conducted in the Unit of Labor and Delivery at Benha University Hospital.
Tools: Four tools were used: Tool (I): a structured interview questionnaire to assess women’s
general traits and obstetric history; Tool (11):a partograph to monitor labor progress, Tool (11I):
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to measure pain intensity; Tool (1V): a chart of APGAR score to
assess neonatal condition. Results: The control and intervention groups did not differ statistically
significantly in terms of obstetric data or demographics. Nonetheless, the intervention group
showed statistically significant favorable associations between birth ball exercises and labor
progress, while the control group indicated delayed labor improvement with very statistically
significant variances (p˂0.0001). Conclusion: Labor progress and birth outcomes were positively
impacted by the use of a birth ball via the 1st labor stage. Recommendation: Enhance women to
utilize birth balls during the initial stage of labor as one of the key strategies to enhance labor
improvement, lessen pain, and achieve a more satisfying delivery experience. |
