NCT05258786

Pre-labor Ultrasound as a Visual Biofeedback Device for Maternal Pushing Education

Pre-labor Ultrasound as a Visual Biofeedback Device for Maternal Pushing Education and Pelvic Floor Training - a Randomized Control Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ariel University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The study will observe the effect of antenatal biofeedback with transperineal and abdominal ultrasound applied by a pelvic floor physical therapist. The training will focus on pelvic floor training and maternal-coached pushing with ultrasound-based visual biofeedback. The investigators aim to assess maternal and neonatal obstetrical outcomes, urinary and fecal incontinence, and maternal psychological effects.

Detailed description

Childbirth is a challenging process both emotionally and physically. The anxiety and anticipation accompanying pregnancy, labor, and delivery were reported to be relieved by pre-labor education, providing knowledge regarding the physiological process of labor to future parents. Ultrasound examination enables the laboring women the opportunity to see fetal head movements in response to maternal pushing, and previous studies have revealed the physiological and psychological advantages of ultrasound-mediated intrapartum biofeedback during the second stage of labor. Pre-labor sonographic maternal coaching has the advantage of a clean setting, avoiding the stressful, frequently hectic nature of labor and delivery wards, and may enable a more comprehensive implementation of the method, a structured training program, and better physical and psychological outcomes. All available literature regarding the application of intrapartum and pre-labor ultrasound refers to the examination performed by obstetricians. The study will observe the effect of antenatal biofeedback with transperineal and abdominal ultrasound applied by a pelvic floor physical therapist. The training will focus on two aspects: pelvic floor training and maternal coached pushing - both with ultrasound-based visual biofeedback. The investigators aim to assess maternal and neonatal obstetrical outcomes, urinary and fecal incontinence, and maternal psychological outcomes.

Conditions

• Pregnancy Related
• Delivery Complication

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Pre-labor ultrasound as a visual biofeedback device for maternal pushing education and pelvic floor training	1. Ultrasound examination with the screen turned to the provider will assess the bladder movements at rest and during contraction of the pelvic floor and fetal head descent at rest and during pushing. 2. The provider will turn the screen to the patient and explain the anatomical landmarks: bladder, fetal head, birth canal direction. 3. A repeat of the first stage (1) with the screen turned to the patient: the biofeedback process. Bladder displacement will serve as a marker of pelvic floor contraction, and the delta in the progression angle will serve as a marker for effective pushing. 4. Finally, the provider will turn the screen again from the patient and repeat the first stage.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-02-18
• Primary completion: 2024-01-28
• Completion: 2024-01-28
• First posted: 2022-02-28
• Last updated: 2024-01-31

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Israel