Comparison of Perambulation and Birthing Ball Exercise on Pain and Maternal Satisfaction During the First Stage of Labour: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Labour pain is a physiological process that can significantly affect maternal comfort, labour progress, and childbirth satisfaction. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of perambulation and birthing ball exercises on the progress of the first stage of labour in terms of pain and maternal satisfaction among primi parturient mothers. Methods: This study selected a quasi-experimental design. A pilot study was conducted among 20 primi parturient mothers at ACS Medical College and Hospital. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and allocated non-randomly into two groups: the perambulation group (n = 10) and the birthing ball group (n = 10). The interventions were administered during the first stage of labour, and post-test assessments were carried out to compare the outcomes between the two groups. Results: The pilot study showed preliminary evidence of differences between the two groups. The birthing ball group had a significantly lower mean pain score (6.10±1.44) than the perambulation group (9.50±0.84), while maternal satisfaction was higher in the birthing ball group (74.00±1.05) compared with the perambulation group (63.50±1.71). An independent t-test demonstrated statistically significant differences between the groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that birthing ball exercises may reduce labour pain and improve maternal satisfaction, supporting the feasibility of a larger study.