Our study was evaluated the effect of BB use on birth satisfaction and pain levels of pregnant women during labor. The descriptive features of the participants in the IG and CG were similar. However, there was a difference between the characteristics of the gestational week and the number of pregnancies of the participants in the IG and CG. Vaginal birth occurs when the baby or mother is physiologically ready. For this reason, there may have been differences in the gestational weeks at birth. In addition, it is thought that the number of women with two or more pregnancies is high because of the higher probability of vaginal delivery in multiparous pregnant women. Despite randomization, it is seen that there are more multiparous pregnancies in the CG.
In our study, it is seen that the contraction times of the pregnant women in the IG were shorter at the beginning and at the first follow-up, and there was no statistical difference in the second follow-up, but the mean contraction time of the CG was higher. The difference in the study may be due to the duration of the contraction at the beginning. Literature studies have shown that there is no difference between IG and CG in terms of contraction duration and intervals between contractions [26, 30]. The use of the BB in the active phase did not affect the frequency of contractions.
The most striking result of the study is that cervical dilatation was higher in the IG compared to the CG in the first and second follow-ups. In addition, the duration of the active phase was shorter in the IG than in the CG. It was thought that the use of a BB in the active phase shortens the delivery time and causes an increase in cervical dilatation due to the force of gravity. Contrary to our study, Taavoni et al. (2011) found that the use of the BB had no effect on the duration of the active phase [26]. In similar studies, it was determined that the cervix dilatation increased and the duration of the first and second birth stages decreased [5, 31]. Another study using a BB and birth chart found that the duration of the first stage of labor was shorter [27]. In another study, it was stated that the use of a BB reduces the duration of the first stage of labor [20]. It was concluded that the use of the BB, which was used during the active phase of labour, advanced the labour and shortened its duration [5, 32].
According to the results of the study, it was determined that the pain level of the pregnant women in the IG, who used a 30-minute BB during the active phase of labor, was lower than the pregnant women in the CG. In similar studies, it has been shown that using a BB during the active phase of labor is effective in reducing labor pain [21, 26]. In the meta-analysis studies, they determined that the use of a BB in the first stage of labor is an effective tool in reducing labor pain [18, 21, 22]. Wu et al. (2022), in their study where they used a BB and birth chart, determined that the pregnant women had more self-control compared to the CG, and they had less pain and anxiety during labor [27]. There are many factors (oxytocin use, operative deliveries, etc.) that affect labor pain. In our study, the IG and CG were similar in terms of using oxytocin. In a similar study, it was stated that the rate of oxytocin use was not different in the IG and CG, and the pain level of the IG was lower [20].
In addition, in the study of Hau et al. (2012), it was determined that most of the women who used a BB after delivery were satisfied [20]. In a randomized controlled study, pregnant women who used a BB had higher perceptions of birth control and satisfaction with the birth experience [33]. In our study, it was determined that there was a difference between the mean scores of the total BSS-R, the sub-dimensions of quality of care, women’s attributes and stress experienced during labor of the pregnant women in the IG with CG. In a study comparing the use of a BB and pharmacological pain relief methods, it was found that the satisfaction level was higher in the group using a BB [34]. In another study, the use of a BB positively affected the level of birth satisfaction [31].
In our study, it was determined that there was no difference between the fetal heart rate, birth weight of the baby and APGAR scores at the 1st and 5th minutes of the pregnant women in the IG and CG. In other words, it can be said that the use of a BB in the first stage of labor does not affect the health indicators of the baby. In the study of Hau et al. (2012), it was determined that there was no difference between the IG and CG of the baby's birth weight and APGAR scores [20].
4.1 Limitations
The study was carried out in the delivery room of a state hospital in blinded. Therefore, it cannot be generalized to the universe. In addition, the physician decided to use oxytocin according to the condition of the pregnant women during the delivery. The dose of oxytocin used differs for each pregnant woman. Therefore, data on oxytocin dose were not compared.
4.2 Implication for practice
The freedom of movement of the pregnant women, the encouragement of walking, the use of methods such as the BB or birth dance provide benefits for both the pregnant women and the fetus. The use of a BB is an effective, non-pharmacological, inexpensive, easy-to-use method for pregnant women to cope with labor pain. The skills of health professionals need to be developed so that the BB can be used safely for mother and baby in delivery rooms. Pregnant women should be informed about the use of a BB during labor and should be encouraged to use it. Continuous support of the pregnant women by at least one health professional and not being left alone during delivery will make the use of the BB safe. In addition, training during pregnancy so that pregnant women can move on the BB during delivery will facilitate adaptation during delivery.