NCT06959940

Alternative Method: Chewing Gum in Labor

Alternative Method to Reduce Pain, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Thirst: Chewing Gum in Labor

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 94 (actual)
• Sponsor: Biruni University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study is a clinical trial. It aimed to examine the effects of chewing gum on pain, anxiety, fatigue, and thirst in pregnant women (47 experiments; 47 controls) in the first stage of labor. Criteria for inclusion in the study: Pregnant women who gave birth vaginally; voluntarily accept to participate in the research. Exclusion criteria from the study: Pregnant women who have auditory or mental health problems; whose baby dies during labor, who with cervical dilatation of 5 cm or more, who receiving epidural anesthesia, do not like chewing gum, have difficulty chewing, such as weak/loose-fitting dentures. The pain, anxiety, fatigue, and thirst levels of the pregnant women in the control group were evaluated with scales every two hours until their dilatation reached 5 cm. Pregnant women in the experimental group chewed gum and their pain, anxiety, fatigue and thirst levels were evaluated with scales every two hours until their dilation reached 5 cm. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Chewing gum during labor is not effective in reducing pain, anxiety, fatigue, and thirst levels. * Chewing gum during labor; It is effective in reducing the level of pain. * Chewing gum during labor; It is effective in reducing anxiety. * Chewing gum during labor; It is effective in reducing thirst. * Chewing gum during labor; It is effective in reducing fatigue. Routine medical treatment of pregnant women continued all groups. Only pregnant women who in the experimental group chewed gum also.

Detailed description

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to examine the effects of chewing gum on pain, anxiety, fatigue and thirst in pregnant women in the first stage of normal labor. Methods: The study was conducted in a randomized controlled experimental manner. The universe consisted of all pregnant women who applied to the delivery room of a public institution between April and November 2022. Power analysis was used to determine the sample. 94 pregnant women (47 experiments;47 controls) were included in the study. The study was started after the approval of the ethics committee and the institution. As a data collection tool in the research;"Personal Information Form","Gum Chewing Follow-up Form" and "Pregnant Follow-up Form" were used.

Conditions

• Labor Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	experimental group (gum group)	After the pregnant woman in the experimental group was admitted to the delivery room, the data collection tools "Personal Information Form" and "Pregnant Follow-up Form" were applied. Pregnant women who agreed to participate in the study were given information about chewing gum. Pain, anxiety, fatigue and thirst scales were administered to the pregnant woman before she started chewing gum. The pregnant woman was allowed to chew gum for 15 minutes. At the end of 15 minutes, the measurements were repeated. Applications were repeated as stated above every two hours until the pregnant woman's dilation reached 5 cm. Routine medical treatment of pregnant women continued.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-04-01
• Primary completion: 2022-11-30
• Completion: 2022-11-30
• First posted: 2025-05-07
• Last updated: 2025-05-07

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)