Showering or massage for pain relief during labor
Part of Pain clinical trials.
This study tests whether a hot sacral massage or a warm shower, done with support from your partner, can help manage pain and labor. It explores simple, comforting options for women who want to avoid pain medication during delivery.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You are expecting to deliver your baby vaginally (not by C-section).
- Your baby is estimated to weigh between 5.5 and 8.8 pounds (2500–4000 grams).
- You are carrying one baby who is positioned head-down (cephalic).
- You are full-term, between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.
- You are in active labor with your cervix dilated to at least 4 centimeters.
- You have not used any pain medicine or anesthesia during the first stage of labor.
- You do not have a skin condition or open wound on your back or lower body that would prevent massage or showering.
- You do not have a chronic illness (like diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, MS, or epilepsy).
- You are not receiving treatment for a mental health condition (medication or therapy).
- You have not had fertility treatments to get pregnant.
- This is not your first baby (you have given birth before).
- You have not been induced to start labor.
- You do not have any complications like placenta previa, preeclampsia, or early rupture of membranes.
- You speak and understand Turkish without difficulty.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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