The Effect of Guided Imagery on the Third Stage of Labor

Vanderbilt University

Overview

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of guided imagery on the third stage of labor. Blood loss from hemorrhage during childbirth, most commonly due to uterine atony, is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States and the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. The hypothesis was that the use of physiologic guided imagery would reduce the amount of bleeding during the third stage of labor.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Purpose

PREVENTION

Conditions

Third Stage of Labor Bleeding Guided Imagery Childbirth

Interventions

Guided imageryBEHAVIORAL

A relaxation focused guided imagery intervention was used through the remainder of pregnancy plus a physiologic guided imagery intervention was used during the third stage of labor.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 34 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older but less than 35 years * English as her primary language * fetus in a cephalic presentation * singleton pregnancy * 36 to 38 estimated gestational weeks * no contraindications to vaginal delivery * maternal weight less than 200 pounds prior to pregnancy Exclusion Criteria: * more than four previous children * a history of postpartum hemorrhage * bleeding disorder * seizure disorder * polyhydramnios * diabetes (including gestational) * hypertension * cardiac disease * uterine fibroids * anemia (hematocrit less than 30) * intrauterine fetal demise or tobacco use

Locations (1)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Blood Loss

Secondary Outcomes

Length of third stage of labor

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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