Using Wet Towel During Labor

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Wet Towel: A woman who has entered the active phase and is being treated will be safely escorted to the bathroom and prepared for the procedure. A clean towel will be placed over the woman's head and shoulders, and water at an appropriate temperature (approximately 36-38°C) will be directed in a slow stream from the showerhead onto the towel. The water flow will be adjusted so that it gently touches the head area through the towel, and the procedure will be continued for at least 10 minutes. During this process, the woman will be continuously monitored, her comfort and safety will be ensured, and the fetal heart rate will be monitored in accordance with institutional protocol. After the procedure is completed, the woman's head and shoulders will be dried, and she will be taken back to her room for further assessment. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Study summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the wet towel method applied during the first stage of labor can reduce labor pain and anxiety and improve childbirth comfort in first-time mothers. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does the wet towel method reduce labor pain? Does the wet towel method improve childbirth comfort? Does the wet towel method reduce anxiety during labor?

Researchers will compare women who receive the wet towel method in addition to routine intrapartum care with women who receive routine intrapartum care alone to determine whether the intervention improves maternal outcomes during labor.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to either the wet towel intervention group or the routine care control group.

Receive the wet towel application for at least 10 minutes during the active phase of the first stage of labor or receive routine intrapartum care only.

Complete assessments of labor pain, childbirth comfort, and anxiety before and after the intervention using validated measurement tools

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Pain intensity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) — Before intervention and immediately after intervention during the active phase of labor.
  The primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the effect of wet towel application on labor pain intensity. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after the intervention.The primary outcome is labor pain intensity, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale before and after the intervention. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater labor pain intensity.
• Childbirth comfort level assessed by Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire — Before intervention and immediately after intervention.
  The effect of wet towel application on childbirth comfort levels will be evaluated using the Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire before and after the intervention. Total scores range from 9 to 45, with higher scores indicating a higher level of childbirth comfort.
• Anxiety level during labor assessed by Anxiety Assessment Scale for Pregnant Women in Labor — Before intervention and immediately after intervention.
  The effect of wet towel application on anxiety levels during labor will be evaluated. Anxiety level during labor will be assessed using the Scale for Assessing the Anxiety Status of Pregnant Women in Labor before and after the intervention. The mean score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety during labor.

Trial sites (1)

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