Effect of Peanut Birth Ball on The Progress of Labor and Birth Outcome among Primigravidae

Abstract

Background: One of the World Health Organization's recommendations for preventing prolonged labor and averting cesarean sections is frequent position changes and movements during labor. However, some women may find themselves unable to get out of bed due to labor exhaustion, in addition to conventional procedures used in most hospitals such as labor induction, epidural anesthesia, and continuous fetal monitoring, create an environment in which women cannot move around freely or easily. To address these issues and implement World Health Organization's recommendations, the peanut birth ball may be a helpful tool for achieving frequent position changes without disrupting labor procedures. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of the peanut birth ball on the progress of labor and birth outcome among primigravidae. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was used. A convenient sample of 80 parturient was recruited from Damanhur national medical institute affiliated to the ministry of health. Three tools of data collection were used: (1) basic data-structured interview schedule (2) physical assessment sheet for progress of labor (3) An observational birth outcome checklist. Results: the current findings revealed that a statistically significant difference (P <0.001) was recognized between the two groups' frequency, duration and interval of uterine contractions as well as cervical dilation, and fetal descent after the intervention. In addition, a high significantly shorter duration of 1st and 2nd stages of labor among the study group than the control group (p <0.001) was observed. Almost the entire (92.5%) of the study group had normal vaginal delivery compared to 75% of the control group .No statistically significant difference was found between both groups concerning Apgar score and need for resuscitation. Conclusion: The peanut birth ball is thought to be an effective, affordable, reusable, innovative, non-pharmacological intervention that helps in the progress of labor and supports vaginal birth. Recommendations: utilization of peanut birth ball is recommended for laboring women, especially those who are confined to bed during childbirth