Randomised controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of the use of birth balls during labour

Objective: To determine the effects of using birth balls (BB) during the first and second stage of labour, perineal integrity, perception of pain intensity, and safety. Method: Randomised controlled trial. Participants: 18 to 35 years, nulliparous, low-risk, at term. Intervention: Performing movements sitting on a BB during obstetric labour. Main outcomes: Duration of first and second labour stages; perineal integrity; pain perception during the postpartum period and pre-post intervention, type of delivery, cause of dystocia, Apgar, neonatal ICU admission. Analysis: Comparison of groups: Student-t for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical ones. Significance if P <=.05. Results: A total of 58 patients (34 experimental and 24 controls) were included. Times of first and second stage, and perineal integrity were similar between groups. At 4 cm. the experimental group referred less pain than the control group, 6.9 points vs 8.2 (P=.039). Difference in the perception of pain in the immediate postpartum period was 1.48 points higher in the control group (P=.003). The measurement of pain in the experimental group before the use of the BB was of 7.45 points, and after the intervention of 6.07 points (P<.001). In There were no differences between groups as regards safety-related variables. Conclusion: The use of a Birth Ball decreases obstetric labour pain perception and is safe. (C) 2011 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.