The effect of warm showers applied during the first stage of labor on labor pain, birth satisfaction, and neonatal outcomes: A randomized controlled trial.

The authors of this randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of warm shower application during the first stage of labor on labor pain, birth satisfaction, and neonatal outcomes. Seventy-eight eligible women were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups, and 68 completed the study (34 per group). Women in the intervention group received a warm shower at 37 °C for at least 20 min at 4 cm 7 cm cervical dilation. Labor pain, measured by the Visual Analog Scale, was significantly lower in the intervention group at 10 and 20 min after both dilation points. No significant differences were found in birth satisfaction, neonatal 1st and 5th minute Apgar scores, asphyxia status, need for intensive care, skin-to-skin contact, or time to first breastfeeding. Warm shower application during the first stage of labor is a safe, effective, and non-pharmacological method to reduce labor pain.