LaborBALL-USGNCT07889700
Effect of Birth Ball Exercise on Labor Progress During the Active Phase of Labor Assessed by Intrapartum Ultrasound
A study testing Birth Ball Exercise in people with Labor and Labor Progress, run by Sakarya University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The active phase of labor is a critical period for the progress of labor and maternal comfort. Non-pharmacological interventions such as birth ball exercises are frequently used to support labor progress and maternal mobility. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Labor, Labor Progress
- What is being tested?
- Birth Ball Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 77 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 2 Nov 2025to 1 Sep 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
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Pregnant women aged 18-35 years
- Nulliparous women
- Singleton pregnancy
- Cephalic presentation
- Gestational age between 38 and 40 weeks
- Expected vaginal delivery
Show all 9Show fewer
- Cervical dilation ≥6 cm (active phase of labor)
- Ability to perform birth ball exercises
- Ability to provide informed consent
Who cannot join
- Multiple pregnancy
- Non-cephalic presentation
- Previous uterine surgery
- Obstetric risk factors
- Obstetric complications during labor (e.g., vaginal bleeding, fetal distress)
- Gestational age <37 weeks at admission
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Inability to perform birth ball exercises
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
(Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Sakarya, 54000
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Effect of Birth Ball Exercise During the Active Phase of Labor on Labor Progress Using Intrapartum Ultrasound
The active phase of labor is a critical period for the progress of labor and maternal comfort. Non-pharmacological interventions such as birth ball exercises are frequently used to support labor progress and maternal mobility. Birth ball exercises may facilitate fetal descent, improve maternal pelvic mobility, and potentially shorten labor duration.
Intrapartum ultrasound has recently emerged as an objective method for assessing labor progress and fetal head position. Compared with digital vaginal examination, intrapartum ultrasound provides more reliable and reproducible measurements.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of birth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor on labor progress using intrapartum ultrasound. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the potential benefits of birth ball exercises in supporting physiological labor.
Read the detailed description
This prospective interventional study aims to investigate the effect of birth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor on labor progress using intrapartum ultrasound.
Participants will include pregnant women admitted to the labor ward who are in the active phase of labor and meet the study inclusion criteria. Participants will be divided into groups according to whether birth ball exercises are performed during the active phase of labor.
Intrapartum ultrasound will be used to evaluate parameters related to labor progress, including fetal head position and descent. Ultrasound measurements will be performed at predefined time points during the active phase of labor.
The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of birth ball exercises on labor progress evaluated with intrapartum ultrasound. Secondary objectives include evaluating maternal comfort and changes in ultrasound parameters associated with fetal head progression during labor.
The results of this study may provide objective evidence regarding the role of birth ball exercises in supporting physiological labor and may contribute to improving non-pharmacological labor management strategies.
- Conditions
- Labor, Labor Progress
- Being tested
- Birth Ball Exercise
- Keywords
- Birth Ball, Intrapartum Ultrasound, Active Phase of Labor, Labor Progress
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Birth Ball ExerciseBehavioural
Birth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor to facilitate labor progress.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Ball Exercise Group | Experimental | Pregnant women in the active phase of labor will perform birth ball exercises under supervision. Receives: Behavioral: Birth Ball Exercise |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants will receive routine labor management without birth ball exercises. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Angle of Progression (AoP) during the active phase of labor
Angle of progression (AoP) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. AoP was defined as the angle between the long axis of the pubic symphysis and a line drawn from the inferior edge of the pubic symphysis tangentially to the most distal point of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. AoP was expressed in degrees, with higher values indicating greater fetal head descent.
Measured: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Head-Perineum Distance (HPD) during the active phase of labor
Head-perineum distance (HPD) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. HPD was defined as the shortest distance between the perineal skin surface and the outer bony limit of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. Lower HPD values indicate greater fetal head descent. HPD was expressed in centimeters.
Measured: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Progression Distance (PD) during the active phase of labor
Progression distance (PD) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. PD was defined as the distance between the infrapubic line and the most distal point of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation, and changes in PD reflected fetal head progression through the birth canal. PD was expressed in centimeters.
Measured: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Fetal Head Direction (HD) during the active phase of labor
Fetal head direction (HD) was assessed by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound according to the orientation of the fetal head within the maternal pelvis. Head direction was categorized as downward, horizontal, or upward. Assessments were performed at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. The outcome measure was reported categorically as downward, horizontal, or upward.
Measured: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Fetal Head Position during the active phase of labor
Fetal head position was assessed by intrapartum ultrasound according to the orientation of the fetal occiput within the maternal pelvis. Fetal head position was categorized as occiput anterior, occiput transverse, or occiput posterior. Assessments were performed at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. The outcome measure was reported categorically as occiput anterior, occiput transverse, or occiput posterior.
Measured: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Secondary outcomes (2)
Duration of the active phase of labor
The time interval from the onset of the active phase of labor until full cervical dilation.
Measured: During labor
Mode of delivery
Type of delivery including spontaneous vaginal delivery, assisted vaginal delivery, or cesarean section.
Measured: At delivery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Oct 2026
- Study start2 Nov 2025
- Primary completion16 Jul 2026
- Study completion1 Sep 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for LaborStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Sakarya UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either a birth ball exercise group or a control group during the active phase of labor.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 77 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sakarya University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Hilal Uslu Yuvacı, MD, Principal investigator, (Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07889700
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BIRTH BALL-INTRAPARTUM USG
- Acronym
- BALL-USG
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 4 May 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Effect of Birth Ball Exercise During the Active Phase of Labor on Labor Progress Using Intrapartum Ultrasound
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07889700
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BALL-USG / BIRTH BALL-INTRAPARTUM USG
- Conditions
- Labor, Labor Progress
- Keywords
- Birth Ball, Intrapartum Ultrasound, Active Phase of Labor, Labor Progress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 77 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sakarya UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 16 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Oct 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.
The active phase of labor is a critical period for the progress of labor and maternal comfort. Non-pharmacological interventions such as birth ball exercises are frequently used to support labor progress and maternal mobility. Birth ball exercises may facilitate fetal descent, improve maternal pelvic mobility, and potentially shorten labor duration.
Intrapartum ultrasound has recently emerged as an objective method for assessing labor progress and fetal head position. Compared with digital vaginal examination, intrapartum ultrasound provides more reliable and reproducible measurements.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of birth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor on labor progress using intrapartum ultrasound. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the potential benefits of birth ball exercises in supporting physiological labor.
Detailed description
This prospective interventional study aims to investigate the effect of birth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor on labor progress using intrapartum ultrasound.
Participants will include pregnant women admitted to the labor ward who are in the active phase of labor and meet the study inclusion criteria. Participants will be divided into groups according to whether birth ball exercises are performed during the active phase of labor.
Intrapartum ultrasound will be used to evaluate parameters related to labor progress, including fetal head position and descent. Ultrasound measurements will be performed at predefined time points during the active phase of labor.
The primary objective of this study is to assess the effect of birth ball exercises on labor progress evaluated with intrapartum ultrasound. Secondary objectives include evaluating maternal comfort and changes in ultrasound parameters associated with fetal head progression during labor.
The results of this study may provide objective evidence regarding the role of birth ball exercises in supporting physiological labor and may contribute to improving non-pharmacological labor management strategies.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either a birth ball exercise group or a control group during the active phase of labor.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Ball Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Birth Ball ExercisePregnant women in the active phase of labor will perform birth ball exercises under supervision. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants will receive routine labor management without birth ball exercises. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Pregnant women aged 18-35 years
- Nulliparous women
- Singleton pregnancy
- Cephalic presentation
- Gestational age between 38 and 40 weeks
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Multiple pregnancy
- Non-cephalic presentation
- Previous uterine surgery
- Obstetric risk factors
- Obstetric complications during labor (e.g., vaginal bleeding, fetal distress)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Ball ExerciseBirth ball exercises performed during the active phase of labor to facilitate labor progress. | Behavioural | Birth Ball Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Angle of Progression (AoP) during the active phase of labor
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Angle of progression (AoP) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. AoP was defined as the angle between the long axis of the pubic symphysis and a line drawn from the inferior edge of the pubic symphysis tangentially to the most distal point of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. AoP was expressed in degrees, with higher values indicating greater fetal head descent.
Head-Perineum Distance (HPD) during the active phase of labor
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Head-perineum distance (HPD) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. HPD was defined as the shortest distance between the perineal skin surface and the outer bony limit of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. Lower HPD values indicate greater fetal head descent. HPD was expressed in centimeters.
Progression Distance (PD) during the active phase of labor
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Progression distance (PD) was measured by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound. PD was defined as the distance between the infrapubic line and the most distal point of the fetal skull. Measurements were obtained at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation, and changes in PD reflected fetal head progression through the birth canal. PD was expressed in centimeters.
Fetal Head Direction (HD) during the active phase of labor
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Fetal head direction (HD) was assessed by transperineal intrapartum ultrasound according to the orientation of the fetal head within the maternal pelvis. Head direction was categorized as downward, horizontal, or upward. Assessments were performed at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. The outcome measure was reported categorically as downward, horizontal, or upward.
Fetal Head Position during the active phase of labor
Time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor
Fetal head position was assessed by intrapartum ultrasound according to the orientation of the fetal occiput within the maternal pelvis. Fetal head position was categorized as occiput anterior, occiput transverse, or occiput posterior. Assessments were performed at 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation. The outcome measure was reported categorically as occiput anterior, occiput transverse, or occiput posterior.
2 secondary outcomes
Duration of the active phase of labor
Time frame: During labor
Mode of delivery
Time frame: At delivery
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 22 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared.
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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.
Hilal Uslu Yuvacı, MD principal investigator
(Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Birth Ball Exercise in people with Labor and Labor Progress, run by Sakarya 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 9 inclusion and 8 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 22 Oct 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?
Angle of Progression (AoP) during the active phase of labor (time frame: At 6 cm and 10 cm cervical dilation during the active phase of labor). The study lists 5 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 22 Oct 2026.