Study at AIIMS Bhopal Reveals: Nurse-Guided Respiratory Method Alleviates Labor Struggles for First-Time Mothers
In the heart of Finland, at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress 2025, Dr Lily Podder, an associate professor at the College of Nursing, AIIMS Bhopal, presented a groundbreaking study on the impact of a nurse-led breathing exercise intervention protocol on labor outcomes among pregnant women in Central India. The theme of the congress, 'Nursing Power to Change the World', couldn't have been more fitting for this transformative research.
The study, titled "Breathe to Birth: Unveiling the Impact of a Nurse-Led Breathing Exercise Intervention Protocol on Labor Outcomes among Pregnant Women-A Randomized Controlled Trial in Central India," was presented as an e-poster. The research was conducted by the AIIMS in Bhopal, a city that, while grappling with blocked sewers, continues to push boundaries in the field of healthcare.
The study revealed several significant benefits, particularly for first-time mothers. One of the key findings was a reduction in the need for medical interventions during labor. Women who followed the guided breathing protocol required fewer cesarean sections, epidural anesthesia, and other medical procedures, which are often associated with increased risk and recovery time.
By promoting a more natural labor process, these breathing exercises can lead to a more empowering and less stressful experience for first-time mothers. The study also suggests that effective breathing techniques can potentially contribute to a smoother and possibly shorter labor by helping the body relax and optimize the natural contractions.
The psychological benefits of the breathing techniques were also evident. The use of breathing techniques can have a calming effect, reducing anxiety and stress during labor. This can lead to a more positive experience and better emotional outcomes for new mothers.
The AIIMS research study demonstrated that nurse-led breathing exercises are a cost-effective, easy to implement, and impactful strategy to improve maternal health. The findings have the potential to revolutionize maternity care not only in Central India but globally.
At the ICN Congress 2025, the focus was on universal health coverage, workforce well-being, ethical leadership, and digital health transformation. With the presentation of the 'Breathe to Birth' study, Dr Podder has undoubtedly made a significant contribution to this mission. The study's findings underscore the power of nursing to change the world and provide hope for a future where every childbirth experience is safe, comfortable, and empowering.
[1] Medical interventions, while necessary in some cases, can have risks and prolong recovery time. It is important to consider non-invasive methods to improve labor outcomes whenever possible.
- The 'Breathe to Birth' study, conducted by AIIMS Bhopal, revealed that a nurse-led breathing exercise intervention protocol significantly reduced the need for medical interventions during labor, potentially offering a less risky and quicker recovery for first-time mothers in Central India.
- In addition to physical benefits, the breathing techniques used in the study showed psychological advantages as well. By reducing anxiety and stress, these techniques can lead to better emotional outcomes and a more positive childbirth experience for new mothers.
- The cost-effective and easy-to-implement nurse-led breathing exercises, as demonstrated in the AIIMS research study, can potentially revolutionize maternity care not only in Central India but globally, providing hope for safer, more comfortable, and empowering childbirth experiences.
