ChildbirthNCT07446699
The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels
A study testing Spontaneous straining and Valsalva type pushing in people with Childbirth and Duration of Labor, run by Cumhuriyet University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 35 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Childbirth, Duration of Labor, Labor Pains
- What is being tested?
- Spontaneous straining and Valsalva type pushing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 128 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 30 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 to 35 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being between 19-35 years old
- Having had a normal vaginal delivery,
- Being between 38-41 weeks pregnant,
- Having a cervical dilation of 8 cm or more,
- Being nulliparous,
- Having a singleton pregnancy,
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- Not having a diagnosed physical health problem in the fetus or mother,
- Not having a diagnosed mental health problem in the mother,
- Not having hearing or perception problems,
- Volunteering to participate in the study.
Who cannot join
- Being under 19 or over 35 years of age,
- Having undergone a planned cesarean section,
- Being gestational age between 38 and 41 weeks,
- Cervical dilation less than 8 cm,
- Being multiparous,
- Having a multiple pregnancy,
Show all 10Show fewer
- Having a diagnosed physical health problem in the fetus or mother,
- Having a diagnosed mental health problem in the mother,
- Having hearing and perception problems,
- Not being a volunteer to participate in the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels
Read the detailed description
This study will be conducted with women who have given birth. The research is designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample will consist of women who apply to the maternity ward of a hospital in Turkey for normal delivery. A total of 128 women are planned to be included in the study, divided into two groups: 64 in the spontaneous pushing group and 64 in the Valsalva pushing group. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, a Visual Analog Scale, and a Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue. The pushing methods used during childbirth will be taught to the women by the researcher, and then they will be asked to practice them. The forms will be administered during the latent phase and the fourth stage of labor.
- Conditions
- Childbirth, Duration of Labor, Labor Pains, Pushing During Childbirth, Fatigue During Childbirth
- Being tested
- Spontaneous straining, Valsalva type pushing
- Keywords
- duration of labor, pain, pushing, fatigue
- Medical subject headings
- Labor Pain, Pain, Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Spontaneous strainingBehavioural
In this pushing method, pregnant women remain in a squatting position during the second stage of labor. The researcher provides the women with information about spontaneous pushing. The women will be supported in spontaneous pushing, and their urge to push will be taken into consideration. In spontaneous pushing:
Regular breathing until the urge to push is felt when contractions begin, inhaling and contracting the core muscles, pushing slowly, exhaling smoothly while contracting during pushing, pushing for 5-6 seconds while exhaling, pushing smoothly and regularly for 5-6 seconds while inhaling and exhaling, and regular breathing when contractions slow down.
Valsalva type pushingBehavioural
- When contractions begin, take two regular breaths,
- Then take a deep breath and hold it,
- Tighten your diaphragm and abdominal muscles,
- Push as hard and for as long as possible (10-15 seconds),
- Continue holding your breath while pushing (glottis closed),
- Exhale, take a deep breath, continue holding your breath,
- Push hard again for 10-15 seconds,
- Stop pushing when contractions ease,
- Relax and try to rest until the next contraction.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Spontaneous pushing group | Experimental | This is the type of pushing that a pregnant woman does by making sounds and exhaling. The pregnant woman pushes spontaneously, and the intensity of the push is consistent with the contractions. Although contractions occur during spontaneous pushing, the pregnant woman does not push until she feels the urge to push. Pushing occurs with the urge to push. The pregnant woman begins to push with her resting breath. Receives: Behavioral: Spontaneous straining |
| Valsalva straining group | Experimental | This is the type of pushing performed by the pregnant woman while holding her breath. This type of pushing is generally considered by healthcare professionals as directed pushing. The researcher will guide the woman on when and how to push. Receives: Behavioral: Valsalva type pushing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Analogue Scale
It is used to assess pain intensity. The scale is graded from 0 to 10 cm in length, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the most severe pain. It is applied by having the individual mark a point corresponding to the intensity of the pain they feel. The distance between the marked point and the lowest end of the line is measured in centimeters, and the resulting numerical value indicates the patient's pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline
Visual Similarity Scale for Fatigue
The Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue consists of 18 items. 13 items form the fatigue subscale, and five items form the energy subscale. The most positive and the most negative statements are located at opposite ends of the scale, and horizontal lines with 10 cm intervals are placed between the two statements. A high score on the fatigue subscale and a low score on the energy subscale indicate a higher intensity of fatigue. The minimum score for the fatigue subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 130; the minimum score for the energy subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 50.
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (2)
Visual Analogue Scale
It is used to assess pain intensity. The scale is graded from 0 to 10 cm in length, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the most severe pain. It is applied by having the individual mark a point corresponding to the intensity of the pain they feel. The distance between the marked point and the lowest end of the line is measured in centimeters, and the resulting numerical value indicates the patient's pain intensity.
Measured: In the fourth stage of labor
Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue
The Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue consists of 18 items. 13 items form the fatigue subscale, and five items form the energy subscale. The most positive and the most negative statements are located at opposite ends of the scale, and horizontal lines with 10 cm intervals are placed between the two statements. A high score on the fatigue subscale and a low score on the energy subscale indicate a higher intensity of fatigue. The minimum score for the fatigue subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 130; the minimum score for the energy subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 50.
Measured: In the fourth stage of labor
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026
- Primary completion30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ChildbirthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 128 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cumhuriyet University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sukran Ertekin Pinar, Cumhuriyet University
- Investigators
- Sukran Ertekin Pinar, Prof. Dr., Principal investigator, Cumhuriyet University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07446699
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TR SİVAS 09
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 8 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: There is not a plan to make IPD available.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07446699
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TR SİVAS 09
- Conditions
- Childbirth, Duration of Labor, Labor Pains, Pushing During Childbirth, Fatigue During Childbirth
- Keywords
- duration of labor, pain, pushing, fatigue
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 128 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cumhuriyet UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The Effect of Pushing Techniques Used During Childbirth on Women's Labor Duration, Pain, and Fatigue Levels
Detailed description
This study will be conducted with women who have given birth. The research is designed as a randomized controlled experimental study. The sample will consist of women who apply to the maternity ward of a hospital in Turkey for normal delivery. A total of 128 women are planned to be included in the study, divided into two groups: 64 in the spontaneous pushing group and 64 in the Valsalva pushing group. Data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, a Visual Analog Scale, and a Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue. The pushing methods used during childbirth will be taught to the women by the researcher, and then they will be asked to practice them. The forms will be administered during the latent phase and the fourth stage of labor.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Spontaneous pushing group | Experimental | Behavioral: Spontaneous strainingThis is the type of pushing that a pregnant woman does by making sounds and exhaling. The pregnant woman pushes spontaneously, and the intensity of the push is consistent with the contractions. Although contractions occur during spontaneous pushing, the pregnant woman does not push until she feels the urge to push. Pushing occurs with the urge to push. The pregnant woman begins to push with her resting breath. |
| Valsalva straining group | Experimental | Behavioral: Valsalva type pushingThis is the type of pushing performed by the pregnant woman while holding her breath. This type of pushing is generally considered by healthcare professionals as directed pushing. The researcher will guide the woman on when and how to push. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Being between 19-35 years old
- Having had a normal vaginal delivery,
- Being between 38-41 weeks pregnant,
- Having a cervical dilation of 8 cm or more,
- Being nulliparous,
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Being under 19 or over 35 years of age,
- Having undergone a planned cesarean section,
- Being gestational age between 38 and 41 weeks,
- Cervical dilation less than 8 cm,
- Being multiparous,
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Spontaneous strainingIn this pushing method, pregnant women remain in a squatting position during the second stage of labor. The researcher provides the women with information about spontaneous pushing. The women will be supported in spontaneous pushing, and their urge to push will be taken into consideration. In spontaneous pushing: Regular breathing until the urge to push is felt when contractions begin, inhaling and contracting the core muscles, pushing slowly, exhaling smoothly while contracting during pushing, pushing for 5-6 seconds while exhaling, pushing smoothly and regularly for 5-6 seconds while inhaling and exhaling, and regular breathing when contractions slow down. | Behavioural | Spontaneous pushing group |
| Valsalva type pushing* When contractions begin, take two regular breaths, * Then take a deep breath and hold it, * Tighten your diaphragm and abdominal muscles, * Push as hard and for as long as possible (10-15 seconds), * Continue holding your breath while pushing (glottis closed), * Exhale, take a deep breath, continue holding your breath, * Push hard again for 10-15 seconds, * Stop pushing when contractions ease, * Relax and try to rest until the next contraction. | Behavioural | Valsalva straining group |
Primary outcome
Visual Analogue Scale
Time frame: Baseline
It is used to assess pain intensity. The scale is graded from 0 to 10 cm in length, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the most severe pain. It is applied by having the individual mark a point corresponding to the intensity of the pain they feel. The distance between the marked point and the lowest end of the line is measured in centimeters, and the resulting numerical value indicates the patient's pain intensity.
Visual Similarity Scale for Fatigue
Time frame: Baseline
The Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue consists of 18 items. 13 items form the fatigue subscale, and five items form the energy subscale. The most positive and the most negative statements are located at opposite ends of the scale, and horizontal lines with 10 cm intervals are placed between the two statements. A high score on the fatigue subscale and a low score on the energy subscale indicate a higher intensity of fatigue. The minimum score for the fatigue subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 130; the minimum score for the energy subscale was 0, and the maximum score was 50.
2 secondary outcomes
Visual Analogue Scale
Time frame: In the fourth stage of labor
Visual Analogy Scale for Fatigue
Time frame: In the fourth stage of labor
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. There is not a plan to make IPD available.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Sukran Ertekin Pinar, Prof. Dr. principal investigator
Cumhuriyet University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Spontaneous straining and Valsalva type pushing in people with Childbirth and Duration of Labor, run by Cumhuriyet University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Visual Analogue Scale (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Apr 2026.