Maternal BurnoutWARM-SHOWERNCT07694856
Effects of Warm Shower on Lactation, Fatigue, and Maternal Burnout
A study testing Warm Shower in people with Maternal Burnout and Postpartum Fatigue, run by KTO Karatay University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Lactation is a physiological process in which various hormones, especially prolactin and oxytocin, play a role. Methods such as warm showers are preferred because they are easy to apply and have a quick effect, as well as being cost-effective. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Maternal Burnout, Postpartum Fatigue, Breastfeeding
- What is being tested?
- Warm Shower
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 64 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 10 Oct 2025to 15 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Having given birth between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation
- Having had a cesarean delivery
- Being a primipara
- Being admitted to the postpartum ward within the first 6 hours
- No physical or cognitive limitations preventing the ability to shower
- Providing written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Premature infant or infant in the neonatal intensive care unit
- Maternal history of infection, complications, or psychiatric diagnosis
- Physiological condition preventing breastfeeding
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect Of Warm Showers On Exhaustıon, Fatigue, Lactation Onset Symptoms and Breast Milk Quantity In The First Three Postpartum Days: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Lactation is a physiological process in which various hormones, especially prolactin and oxytocin, play a role. Methods such as warm showers are preferred because they are easy to apply and have a quick effect, as well as being cost-effective. It increases the amount of milk by showing a direct effect on oxytocin and prolactin hormones in the breastfeeding process that strengthens the bond between mother and baby. It helps to make the breastfeeding process more enjoyable for mother and baby. Guidelines in the literature emphasize that the mother should be psychologically evaluated and that practices that can relax her according to her needs should be applied to increase breastfeeding success. In addition to hormonal regulation, a warm shower improves self-care. In this way, breastfeeding motivation increases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of warm showers in the morning and evening in the first 3 postpartum days on the amount of breast milk by shedding light on hormones and lactation process.
Read the detailed description
This study is a single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of warm shower application during the first three postpartum days on maternal burnout, fatigue, lactation onset indicators, and breast milk intake among women who underwent cesarean birth. The intervention is based on the premise that warm water exposure may promote relaxation, improve physical comfort, reduce fatigue and stress, and support physiological mechanisms associated with lactation. The study aims to determine whether a structured warm shower intervention can improve maternal well-being and breastfeeding-related outcomes during the early postpartum period.
Eligible participants for the study are first-time mothers who have had a cesarean delivery and meet the study's inclusion criteria. Following the baseline assessment, participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group. Women in the intervention group receive routine postpartum care plus a standard warm shower (37-39°C, 10-15 minutes) once daily at 24, 48, and 72 hours after delivery, as well as on days 7 and 14 postpartum, while women in the control group receive only routine postpartum care. Outcome assessments are conducted at baseline, immediately following the intervention, at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, and during follow-up visits on the 7th and 14th days postpartum.
Maternal burnout is evaluated using the Maternal Burnout Scale, while fatigue is assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue. Lactation onset indicators are assessed through breast fullness and milk secretion characteristics, and infant breast milk intake is evaluated using the IMDAT Breast Milk Intake Scoring System. Data are analyzed using appropriate repeated-measures statistical methods to examine changes over time, between-group differences, and group-by-time interactions. The study aims to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and clinical applicability of a low-cost, non-pharmacological postpartum care intervention that may support maternal recovery and breastfeeding outcomes.
- Conditions
- Maternal Burnout, Postpartum Fatigue, Breastfeeding
- Being tested
- Warm Shower
- Keywords
- Breastfeeding, Lactation, Warm Shower, Oxytocin, Prolactin
- Medical subject headings
- Breast Feeding
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Warm ShowerBehavioural
Participants receive routine postpartum care in addition to a standardized warm shower (37-39°C, 10-15 minutes) once daily during the first three postpartum days after cesarean birth.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Warm Shower + Routine Postpartum Care | Experimental | Participants receive routine postpartum care plus a standardized warm shower intervention during the first three postpartum days. Women in the intervention group are instructed to take a warm shower (37-39°C) once daily for 10-15 minutes following confirmation of clinical stability and mobilization readiness. The intervention is delivered in addition to routine postpartum care and is intended to promote relaxation, physical comfort, maternal well-being, and lactation-related outcomes during the early postpartum period. Receives: Behavioral: Warm Shower |
| Routine Postpartum Care (Control) | No intervention | Participants in the control group receive routine postpartum care according to hospital protocol, including standard maternal and newborn monitoring, breastfeeding support, and postpartum recovery care. No warm shower intervention is administered. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Maternal Burnout
Maternal Burnout Scale (MBS). The Maternal Burnout Scale was used to assess maternal burnout levels. The scale consists of 15 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale and includes the dimensions of physical and emotional exhaustion, emotional distancing from the child, and reduced maternal accomplishment. Higher scores indicate higher levels of maternal burnout.
Measured: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.
Lactation Onset Indicators
Lactation onset indicators will be assessed as a composite outcome using the Lactation Assessment Form, which includes breast fullness, milk secretion characteristics, and post-feeding breast status.
Measured: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.
Postpartum Fatigue
Postpartum fatigue will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F), an 18-item instrument designed to assess fatigue. Higher scores indicate greater postpartum fatigue.
Measured: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.
Infant breast milk intake score
Infant breast milk intake will be assessed using the IMDAT Breast Milk Intake Scoring System. Higher scores indicate greater breast milk intake. Unit of
Measured: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, and on postpartum days 7 and 14.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Jul 2026
- Study start10 Oct 2025
- Primary completion10 Apr 2026
- Study completion15 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Maternal BurnoutStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- KTO Karatay University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Hediye Karakoç, KTO Karatay University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07694856
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- KaratayU-RCT-WarmShower-2026
- Acronym
- WARM-SHOWER
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 10 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect Of Warm Showers On Exhaustıon, Fatigue, Lactation Onset Symptoms and Breast Milk Quantity In The First Three Postpartum Days: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07694856
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- WARM-SHOWER / KaratayU-RCT-WarmShower-2026
- Conditions
- Maternal Burnout, Postpartum Fatigue, Breastfeeding
- Keywords
- Breastfeeding, Lactation, Warm Shower, Oxytocin, Prolactin
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 64 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- KTO Karatay UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Lactation is a physiological process in which various hormones, especially prolactin and oxytocin, play a role. Methods such as warm showers are preferred because they are easy to apply and have a quick effect, as well as being cost-effective. It increases the amount of milk by showing a direct effect on oxytocin and prolactin hormones in the breastfeeding process that strengthens the bond between mother and baby. It helps to make the breastfeeding process more enjoyable for mother and baby. Guidelines in the literature emphasize that the mother should be psychologically evaluated and that practices that can relax her according to her needs should be applied to increase breastfeeding success. In addition to hormonal regulation, a warm shower improves self-care. In this way, breastfeeding motivation increases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of warm showers in the morning and evening in the first 3 postpartum days on the amount of breast milk by shedding light on hormones and lactation process.
Detailed description
This study is a single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of warm shower application during the first three postpartum days on maternal burnout, fatigue, lactation onset indicators, and breast milk intake among women who underwent cesarean birth. The intervention is based on the premise that warm water exposure may promote relaxation, improve physical comfort, reduce fatigue and stress, and support physiological mechanisms associated with lactation. The study aims to determine whether a structured warm shower intervention can improve maternal well-being and breastfeeding-related outcomes during the early postpartum period.
Eligible participants for the study are first-time mothers who have had a cesarean delivery and meet the study's inclusion criteria. Following the baseline assessment, participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or the control group. Women in the intervention group receive routine postpartum care plus a standard warm shower (37-39°C, 10-15 minutes) once daily at 24, 48, and 72 hours after delivery, as well as on days 7 and 14 postpartum, while women in the control group receive only routine postpartum care. Outcome assessments are conducted at baseline, immediately following the intervention, at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, and during follow-up visits on the 7th and 14th days postpartum.
Maternal burnout is evaluated using the Maternal Burnout Scale, while fatigue is assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue. Lactation onset indicators are assessed through breast fullness and milk secretion characteristics, and infant breast milk intake is evaluated using the IMDAT Breast Milk Intake Scoring System. Data are analyzed using appropriate repeated-measures statistical methods to examine changes over time, between-group differences, and group-by-time interactions. The study aims to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness, safety, and clinical applicability of a low-cost, non-pharmacological postpartum care intervention that may support maternal recovery and breastfeeding outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Warm Shower + Routine Postpartum Care | Experimental | Behavioral: Warm ShowerParticipants receive routine postpartum care plus a standardized warm shower intervention during the first three postpartum days. Women in the intervention group are instructed to take a warm shower (37-39°C) once daily for 10-15 minutes following confirmation of clinical stability and mobilization readiness. The intervention is delivered in addition to routine postpartum care and is intended to promote relaxation, physical comfort, maternal well-being, and lactation-related outcomes during the early postpartum period. |
| Routine Postpartum Care (Control) | No intervention | –Participants in the control group receive routine postpartum care according to hospital protocol, including standard maternal and newborn monitoring, breastfeeding support, and postpartum recovery care. No warm shower intervention is administered. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Having given birth between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation
- Having had a cesarean delivery
- Being a primipara
- Being admitted to the postpartum ward within the first 6 hours
- No physical or cognitive limitations preventing the ability to shower
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Premature infant or infant in the neonatal intensive care unit
- Maternal history of infection, complications, or psychiatric diagnosis
- Physiological condition preventing breastfeeding
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Warm ShowerParticipants receive routine postpartum care in addition to a standardized warm shower (37-39°C, 10-15 minutes) once daily during the first three postpartum days after cesarean birth. | Behavioural | Warm Shower + Routine Postpartum Care |
Primary outcome
Maternal Burnout
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.
Maternal Burnout Scale (MBS). The Maternal Burnout Scale was used to assess maternal burnout levels. The scale consists of 15 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale and includes the dimensions of physical and emotional exhaustion, emotional distancing from the child, and reduced maternal accomplishment. Higher scores indicate higher levels of maternal burnout.
Lactation Onset Indicators
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.
Lactation onset indicators will be assessed as a composite outcome using the Lactation Assessment Form, which includes breast fullness, milk secretion characteristics, and post-feeding breast status.
Postpartum Fatigue
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.
Postpartum fatigue will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F), an 18-item instrument designed to assess fatigue. Higher scores indicate greater postpartum fatigue.
Infant breast milk intake score
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, and on postpartum days 7 and 14.
Infant breast milk intake will be assessed using the IMDAT Breast Milk Intake Scoring System. Higher scores indicate greater breast milk intake. Unit of
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Warm Shower in people with Maternal Burnout and Postpartum Fatigue, run by KTO Karatay University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Maternal Burnout (time frame: Assessed at baseline (6-12 hours postpartum), immediately after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postpartum, as well as on postpartum days 7 and 14.). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Jul 2026.