Clinical Research Directory

Postpartum Effects of Mirror Therapy During Labor

Today, childbirth is considered one of the most physically and psychologically intense experiences in a woman's life. Labor is a critical period during which fear, anxiety, and stress related to childbirth may increase, potentially affecting both the course of labor and postpartum emotional well-being. Supportive approaches implemented during this period may contribute to a more positive perception of the childbirth experience and enhance postpartum well-being. Mirror therapy is a non-pharmacological approach that enables individuals to visually perceive their own bodies and the ongoing process, thereby strengthening self-perception and promoting positive body awareness. The use of mirror therapy during labor may increase women's active participation in the childbirth process and enhance their sense of control. It may also support emotional well-being and reduce negative emotional states during the postpartum period. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the effects of mirror therapy administered during labor on postpartum pain, mood, and emotional well-being. The findings are expected to contribute to strengthening midwifery support during childbirth, integrating non-pharmacological approaches into clinical practice, promoting their wider use, and protecting women's psychological well-being. Thus, the study is expected to provide scientific evidence that may inform midwifery education and practice as well as postpartum care policies.

The Effect of Mental Toughness Interventions During Birth on the Pelvic Floor in the Postpartum Period

This randomized controlled study aimed to determine the effect of mental toughness interventions initiated during the third trimester of pregnancy and applied during childbirth on pelvic floor-related distress in the postpartum period. The mental toughness interventions consisted of breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, focusing/concentration, and imagery. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group were taught the mental toughness interventions during the third trimester and received follow-up training sessions at 32-34 and 36-38 weeks of gestation. During labor, the interventions were applied at cervical dilations of 5-7 cm and 8-9 cm. The control group received routine care. Mind-body index was assessed using the HeartMath device in both groups during labor. Pelvic floor-related distress was assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 at baseline and at 6 weeks postpartum.

Effect of Social Support During Labor

Problem Statement: In the governmental hospitals it is not allow to presence one of family with woman during child birth in labor room that affects negatively in pregnant emotion and feel more anxious especially primigravida although it effect positively in labor process and outcomes and providers have realized the benefit of having a social support with woman in labor room in facilities where there is a shortage of nurses and midwives (Kabakian-Khasholian and Portela,2017). On the other hand, there is evidence that the cyclic and upward spiraling relationship among fear, tension, and pain proposed by Dick-Read (2005) may account for escalating labor pain in that increased tension and anxiety during labor contribute to increased pain. An explanation is that excessive anxiety increases an endogenous release of catecholamine, which reduces blood flow to and from the placenta, restricts fetal oxygen supply and waste removal, reduces effectiveness of uterine contractions, and slows labor progress ((Yuenyong, O'Brien and Jirapeet, 2012) Significance of The Study: This is the first study of its kind in Jordan. Social support during labor has significance effect on birth outcomes of delivery on women and newborn in labor room. It leads to positive results for the mother and the newborn. The results of study will contribute to giving the birth process a masculine character, which leads to reducing the risks of childbirth and reducing newborn death (Anjos and Gouvesia,2019). Finding of this study will help policy members and health care provider to understand the importance of presence supporter with women in labor room, perhaps we can include this procedure with treatment and delivery plan, especially in the delivery rooms in government hospitals. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find effect of presence social support with woman in labor room on birth outcomes in AL Basheer hospital. Research Question: What is the effects of presence social supporter with women in labor room during the first and the second stage of labor? Hypothesis: The result is expected to find positively effect of presence social support that chosen by pregnant woman to stay with her in labor room during child birth process. Method Design: An experimental, randomized control trial, pretest- posttest will be used in this study, the experimental design the most powerful design for testing cause and effect relationship due to control, manipulation and randomization (Polit, Beck and Polit, 2017), by randomizer the number from 1 to 150 will distributed into two group the first group, intervention group and the other one the control group. The participants will choose a sheet of paper from box with sheets numbered from 1 to 150 and define group according to number. Setting: The study will be conducted at Al Basheer governmental hospital in Amman that the family member not allowed to be with women during labor, special permission will be obtained for this study. In labor room in Al-Basheer hospital the room is divided into three sections, the first is the initial stage and contains 10 beds, each bed is separate from the other and contains a device to follow the baby's pulse in addition to other monitoring devices such as pressure and temperature device. The patient remains in this section until the dilatation becomes fully and moves to the most important section It contains three separate rooms and contains resuscitation devices for the baby this section is for the second stage of labor. When the patient finishes this stage, she goes to the last section, which contains 5 postpartum beds, and stays for two hours, and then moves to the postpartum department. In labor room there is two doctors and 4 or 5 midwives specialists in maternity. Sample: Target population: All pregnant woman in labor room Accessible population: Laboring women in first active stage of labor and low risk laboring. Sampling technique Sample size: A statistical power of 0.8 and a medium effect size of 0.5 will be used because the intervention in this study has not been tested before. In addition to the significance level will be 0.05. According that the sample size will be 120 pregnant women and divided into two group 60 women in intervention group and 60 in control group. Non-Probability Sampling Methods will be used Convenience sampling of pregnant women who is met the criteria in labor ward, Sample size will be estimated according to Cohen power analysis by using t-test, to attain power =0.8, significant level α = .05 (medium size effect), however, 20% will be added to overcome attrition the required sample size will be (N= 150), The convenience sampling appropriate for this study because it relies on available subjects such as patients in hospital (Polit, Beck and Polit, 2017) Introduction The labor process occurs in four successive stages. The first stage begins with regular uterine contractions until full dilation of the cervix.

The Effect of Crowning Time on Levator Ani Muscle Avulsion

Levator ani muscle is one of the main components of perineal muscles and plays a crucial role in urinary continence and pelvic organ support. An avulsion, detachment from its insertion, of this muscle can occur during vaginal birth. It is well known that this major injury can cause many symptoms such as urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapses. Some risk factors of this important injury have been identified in the literature, such as the use of forceps. However, to date, no study has evaluated the impact of the crowning of the fetal head during labor on perineal muscles, specifically the levator ani muscle avulsion. Hence, the objectives of this study are to evaluate the association i) the time of the crowning of the fetal head during labor and levator ani muscle avulsion, ii) the time of the crowning of the fetal head and urogynecological symptoms, and iii) use of episiotomy and levator ani muscle avulsion. Postpartum primiparous women will undergo a 4D transperineal ultrasound to evaluate their pelvic muscles and complete questionnaires assessing urogynecological symptoms.