Breathing Techniques Reduce Labor Pain Intensity at Cendana Putih Primary Health Center, North Luwu Regency

Abstract

This study examined the effect of breathing techniques on labor pain intensity among laboring
mothers at Cendana Putih Primary Health Center, North Luwu Regency, in 2024, because primary
healthcare facilities need effective, safe, and easily applicable non-pharmacological pain
management. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design involved 12 women in the active phase of first-stage labor, selected through consecutive sampling during May–June 2024. Pain intensity was measured with the validated Numeric Rating Scale (0–10) before and 60 minutes after approximately 30 minutes of rhythmic breathing (4-second inhalation, 2-second hold, 6-second
exhalation), and analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The mean pain score decreased from 7.50 to 4.25 (p = 0.001; r = 0.66, large effect), and all 12 respondents showed a decrease. Breathing techniques thus reduce labor pain in a statistically and clinically meaningful way and merit integration into primary-level midwifery care; larger randomized controlled trials are recommended.