Perception of women regarding pelvic mobility exercises during labor and childbirth
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36517/2175-6783.20262797397Keywords:
Pregnancy; Labor Pain; Labor, Obstetric; Exercise Movement Techniques; Obstetric Nursing.Abstract
Objective: to analyze women’s perceptions of performing pelvic mobility exercises during labor/childbirth and their association with obstetric outcomes. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted with 306 postpartum women. The data were obtained through a structured questionnaire and supplemented by clinical records. The associations were analyzed using association tests and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: most women performed pelvic mobility exercises (87.6%). The use of a birthing ball (76.8%; p=0.002), forward-leaning inversion (71.3%; p=0.015), Swiss ball (70.2%; p=0.004), and squats (69.6%; p=0.003) was associated with the perception of reduced labor duration. No associations were observed with pain reduction or a higher occurrence of vaginal delivery. The majority of women expressed the intention to use these practices again in future pregnancies (85.3%; p<0.001). Conclusion: In the women’s perception, pelvic mobility exercises were associated with a reduction in the duration of labor, with no association with pain or type of delivery, and were highly acceptable. Contributions to practice: the findings support guidance on mobility during labor and the importance of expanding educational actions in prenatal care and developing experimental studies to investigate the effectiveness of these practices.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Reginaldo Roque Mafetoni, Sofia Araki Gonçalves, Clara Fróes de Oliveira Sanfelice, Herla Maria Furtado Jorge, Lia Maristela da Silva Jacob, Talita Balaminut, Gustavo Gonçalves dos Santos
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