Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effect of isolated and combined warm shower bath and perineal exercise with Swiss ball, on perception of pain, anxiety and labor progression.
METHOD:
Randomized, controlled clinical trial with 128 patients allocated into three groups of therapies: isolated and combined bath and ball. Pain and anxiety perception was evaluated before and thirty minutes after therapeutic intervention through visual analogic scales (VAS).
RESULTS:
Pain perception score increased, and anxiety decreased in all groups, mainly when using a shower bath. The cervical dilation increased in all groups (p<.001), as well as the number of uterine contractions increased, mainly in the group that used combined bath and ball and also showed shorter labor time.
CONCLUSION:
The studied therapies contribute to maternal adaptation and well-being and favor labor’s evolution.
Keywords:
Anxiety; Hydrotherapy; Labor pain; Labor obstetric; Complementary therapies; Obstetric nursing