title: [Randomised controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of the use of birth balls during labour].
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 to 35 years, nulliparous, low-risk, at term.
  
  
  METHODS
  Performing movements sitting on a BB during obstetric labour.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a Birth Ball decreases obstetric labour pain perception and is safe.
authors: Hospital Vinalopó Salud, Elche, España. trizi29@hotmail.com
authors: Beatriz Elena
authors: BE
authors: Delgado-García
authors: María Isabel
authors: MI
authors: Orts-Cortés
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Poveda-Bernabeu
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Caballero-Pérez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult