Warm sacral massage and partner-assisted shower for easing labor

The Effect of Hot Sacral Massage With Cherry Pits and Shower Application With Partner Support on Perceived Labor Pain, Birth Experience, and Birth Comfort

This study will see if warm cherry-pit sacral massage or partner-led showers during active labor reduce pain and improve comfort for first-time, term pregnant women.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Istanbul, Büyükçekmece)
• Trial ID: NCT07165405 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized trial enrolls 150 primiparous women at term and randomizes them to one of three groups: hot sacral massage using cherry-pit pouches, partner-administered shower application, or standard midwifery care. Interventions are applied in the active phase of labor (around 4 cm dilation and repeated near 7–8 cm) for at least 20 minutes per application; shower temperature is individualized between 32–37 °C and massage uses clean 20x20 cm cotton pouches. Primary outcomes include perceived labor pain, birth experience, and birth comfort measured after the intervention. The trial is conducted at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa with in-person interventions during labor.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Primiparous women at term (37–42 weeks) in active labor with a single, cephalic fetus who expect a spontaneous vaginal birth and are not receiving analgesia in the first stage are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Women who require epidural or other analgesia, have a planned or emergent cesarean delivery, are multiparous, or have skin or medical contraindications to massage or showering are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these simple non-drug techniques could reduce labor pain and improve comfort and overall birth experience for first-time mothers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research on massage and hydrotherapy in labor has shown modest improvements in pain and comfort, so this trial applies established nonpharmacologic methods rather than testing a wholly novel technique.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 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

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having undergone infertility treatment,
* Delivery by cesarean section for any reason during labor,
* Being multiparous
* Having any systemic, chronic, or neurological disease (Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Thyroid disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, etc.)
* 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)

Where this trial is running

Istanbul, Büyükçekmece

• Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa — Istanbul, Büyükçekmece, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Neriman Güdücü, PhD.

Conditions: Pain, Experience, Comfort, labor pain, birth experience, postpartum comfort, sacral massage, shower application