An interventional study of Birth Ball Exercise in Labor and Labor Progress, sponsored by Sakarya University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 35 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-22.
Sponsored by Sakarya University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The active phase of labor is a critical period for the progress of labor and maternal comfort. Non-pharmacological interventions such as birth ball exercises are frequently used to support labor progress and maternal mobility. Birth ball exercises may facilitate fetal descent, improve maternal pelvic mobility, and potentially shorten labor duration.
Intrapartum ultrasound has recently emerged as an objective method for assessing labor progress and fetal head position. Compared with digital vaginal examination, intrapartum ultrasound provides more reliable and reproducible measurements.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of birth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor on labor progress using intrapartum ultrasound. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the potential benefits of birth ball exercises in supporting physiological labor.
This prospective interventional study aims to investigate the effect of birth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor on labor progress using intrapartum ultrasound.
Participants will include pregnant women admitted to the labor ward who are in the active phase of labor and meet the study inclusion criteria. Participants will be divided into groups according to whether birth ball exercises are performed during the active phase of labor.
Intrapartum ultrasound will be used to evaluate parameters related to labor progress, including fetal head position and descent. Ultrasound measurements will be performed at predefined time points during the active phase of labor.
The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of birth ball exercises on labor progress evaluated with intrapartum ultrasound. Secondary objectives include evaluating maternal comfort and changes in ultrasound parameters associated with fetal head progression during labor.
The results of this study may provide objective evidence regarding the role of birth ball exercises in supporting physiological labor and may contribute to improving non-pharmacological labor management strategies.
Sakarya University is the lead sponsor of 183 studies on the registry; 50 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Pregnant women in the active phase of labor will perform birth ball exercises under supervision.
Behavioral: Birth Ball Exercise
Participants will receive routine labor management without birth ball exercises.
Birth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor to facilitate labor progress.
Angle of Progression (AoP) during the active phase of labor
Angle of progression (AoP) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. AoP was defined as the angle between the long axis of the pubic symphysis and a line drawn from the inferior edge of the pubic symphysis tangentially to the most distal point of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. AoP was expressed in degrees, with higher values indicating greater fetal head descent.
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Head-Perineum Distance (HPD) during the active phase of labor
Head-perineum distance (HPD) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. HPD was defined as the shortest distance between the perineal skin surface and the outer bony limit of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. Lower HPD values indicate greater fetal head descent. HPD was expressed in centimeters.
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Progression Distance (PD) during the active phase of labor
Progression distance (PD) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. PD was defined as the distance between the infrapubic line and the most distal point of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation, and changes in PD reflected fetal head progression through the birth canal. PD was expressed in centimeters.
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Fetal Head Direction (HD) during the active phase of labor
Fetal head direction (HD) was assessed by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound according to the orientation of the fetal head within the maternal pelvis. Head direction was categorized as downward, horizontal, or upward. Assessments were performed at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. The outcome measure was reported categorically as downward, horizontal, or upward.
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Fetal Head Position during the active phase of labor
Fetal head position was assessed by intrapartum ultrasound according to the orientation of the fetal occiput within the maternal pelvis. Fetal head position was categorized as occiput anterior, occiput transverse, or occiput posterior. Assessments were performed at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. The outcome measure was reported categorically as occiput anterior, occiput transverse, or occiput posterior.
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Duration of the active phase of labor
The time interval from the onset of the active phase of labor until full cervical dilation.
Time frame: During labor
Mode of delivery
Type of delivery including spontaneous vaginal delivery, assisted vaginal delivery, or cesarean section.
Time frame: At delivery
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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