The effect of Knee- chest position on labor pain and Duration of labor in nulliparous women: a randomized clinical trial

Childbirth is not satisfactory for some women and is associated with pain, fear and suffering. The present study was conducted aimed to investigate the effect of Knee- chest position on pain intensity and duration of labor in nulliparous women.

This randomized clinical trial study was performed in 2020 on 100 nulliparous women admitted to the maternity ward in the south of Kerman province. Individuals were randomly divided into two groups of normal posture and Knee-chest position (n=50 in each group). For women who were in the Knee-chest position group, at the beginning of the active phase (dilatation 4cm), they were in Knee-chest position intermittently (for 15 minutes every hour) until the complete cervical dilatation. Data were collected by personal information questionnaire and pain visual scale and delivery progress form (partograph). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 26) and Independent t-test, chi-square and Fisher's exact test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

according to independent t-test, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, the mean pain intensity in the intervention group (Knee-chest position) was significantly lower than the control group (normal position) (p <0.001). Also, the progression of labor in the mothers of the intervention group was significantly faster compared to the control group; duration of delivery in the intervention and control groups was 4.48±1.04 and 7.16±1.7, respectively (p <0.001). The level of mothers' satisfaction with the position status during delivery process was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p<0.001).

The Knee-chest position in nulliparous women during the active phase of labor is beneficial in reducing labor pain and accelerating labor progression. Therefore, it is recommended that this condition be used as a routine non-pharmacological care in maternity wards.