Mobility as an Effective Non-pharmacological Method for Parturition: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Childbirth is a transformative process. Modern healthcare offers pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for safe and improved childbirth experience. Studies have found that maternal mobility during the first stage of labour has a significant effect on maternal and child outcomes. A pilot study was done to find the effect of mobility during the first stage of labour on maternal satisfaction and foetal outcome. Method: An experimental study was done with 60 primigravida women with uncomplicated antenatal history reporting to the labour room of a tertiary care government hospital in Delhi chosen as study participants. Validated and reliable tools were used to measure labour, maternal and neonatal outcomes within 24 h post-delivery. Results: The results showed that there was an impact on mobility intervention during the first stage of labour on parturition ( p = .03) and significant maternal satisfaction ( p = .001). However, the neonatal outcome of both groups was not significant. Conclusion: Mobility was an effective non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing parturition and maternal satisfaction. Mobility during the first stage of labour can be recommended for practice guidelines for all midwives in the labour room as a protocol.