The Effect of the Rebozo Technique on the Length of the First Stage in Vaginal Labor

Putri Habibah; Lisa Trina  Arlym

doi:10.37899/journallamedihealtico.v7i1.2860

Putri Habibah Master of Midwifery Program, National University, Indonesia
Lisa Trina Arlym Master of Midwifery Program, National University, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37899/journallamedihealtico.v7i1.2860

Keywords: Rebozo Technique, First Stage Length, Vaginal Delivery

Abstract

The first stage of labor is often associated with prolonged duration, pain, and maternal discomfort, which may increase the risk of obstetric interventions. Non-pharmacological approaches are increasingly promoted to support physiological labor. The Rebozo technique, a traditional method originating from Latin America, has gained attention for its potential to improve labor progress by enhancing pelvic mobility and fetal positioning. This study aimed to systematically review the effect of the Rebozo technique on the duration of the first stage of vaginal labor. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were retrieved from ProQuest, PubMed, SpringerLink, and ScienceDirect databases using the keywords “Rebozo technique,” “vaginal delivery,” and “first stage of labor.” Inclusion criteria were based on the PICOS framework, focusing on primigravida women undergoing vaginal delivery. Only quantitative studies and randomized controlled trials published between 2020 and 2025 were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) critical appraisal tool. Five high-quality studies from four countries met the inclusion criteria. The findings consistently demonstrated that the Rebozo technique was associated with a shorter duration of the first stage of labor, improved cervical dilation, enhanced fetal head rotation, and increased maternal comfort. The Rebozo technique is a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention that supports labor progression and maternal well-being. Its integration into midwifery practice may optimize the management of the first stage of vaginal labor.

References

Afrilia, E. M., & Suksesty, C. E. (2023). Pengaruh Teknik Rebozo Terhadap Lama Kala I Dalam Persalinan Pervaginam. IMJ (Indonesian Midwifery Journal), 5(1), 28-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.31000/imj.v5i1.6010

Altman, M. R., & Lydon‐Rochelle, M. T. (2006). Prolonged second stage of labor and risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes: a systematic review. Birth, 33(4), 315-322. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2006.00129.x

Amir-Behghadami, M., & Janati, A. (2020). Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study (PICOS) design as a framework to formulate eligibility criteria in systematic reviews. Emergency Medicine Journal. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2020-209567

Aprianti, N. A., Mose, J. C., Pratiwi, Y. S., Susiarno, H., Hilmanto, D., & Irianti, S. (2025). The Role of Education and Challenges of the Implementation of the Rebozo Technique in Midwifery Practice: A Scoping Review. JTP-Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 27(2), 383-396. https://doi.org/10.21009/jtp.v27i2.54572

Asl, B. M. H., Vatanchi, A., Golmakani, N., & Najafi, A. (2018). Relationship between behavioral indices of pain during labor pain with pain intensity and duration of delivery. Electronic physician, 10(1), 6240. https://doi.org/10.19082/6240

Asry, S. A., Mujahidah, S. A., Wulandari, D. A., & Mayangsari, D. (2024). Effectiveness of rebozo and birth ball techniques on labour pain at First stage. Journal of Nursing, 1(1), 29-36. https://doi.org/10.63425/journalofnursing.v1i1.20

Bahrum, S. W., Rejeki, I. S., & Fajri, F. (2023). The Effectiveness Of Acupressur And Rebozzo Techniques In Preparation For Delivery In Mandiri Midwife Practices, Gowa Regency. International Journal of Health and Pharmaceutical (IJHP), 3(2), 259-264.

Bullough, C., Meda, N., Makowiecka, K., Ronsmans, C., Achadi, E. L., & Hussein, J. (2005). Current strategies for the reduction of maternal mortality. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 112(9), 1180-1188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2005.00718.x

Carlhäll, S., Nelson, M., Svenvik, M., Axelsson, D., & Blomberg, M. (2022). Maternal childbirth experience and time in labor: a population-based cohort study. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 11930. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14711-y

Cohen, S. R., & Thomas, C. R. (2015). Rebozo technique for fetal malposition in labor. Journal of midwifery & women's health, 60(4), 445-451. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12352

Desseauve, D., Fradet, L., Lacouture, P., & Pierre, F. (2017). Position for labor and birth: State of knowledge and biomechanical perspectives. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 208, 46-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.11.006

Direkvand-Moghadam, A., Delpisheh, A., Rezaeian, M., & Khosravi, A. (2015). Factors affecting the labor: a review article. Biomedical and Pharmacology journal, 6(2), 161-167. https://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bpj/399

Farag, W. K. A., Ibrahim, H. I., & Alam, T. H. M. (2024). Effect of Rebozo Techniques on Pain Intensity, Anxiety and birth experience among Primiparous Women during the Active Phase of Labor. Menoufia Nursing Journal, 9(4), 281-300.

Farag, W. K. A., Ibrahim, H. I., & Alam, T. H. M. (2024). Effect of Rebozo Techniques on Pain Intensity, Anxiety and birth experience among Primiparous Women during the Active Phase of Labor. Menoufia Nursing Journal, 9(4), 281-300. https://doi.org/10.21608/menj.2024.414770

Fink, N. S., Urech, C., Cavelti, M., & Alder, J. (2012). Relaxation during pregnancy: What are the benefits for mother, fetus, and the newborn? A systematic review of the literature. The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing, 26(4), 296-306. https://doi.org/10.1097/JPN.0b013e31823f565b

Fitriyaningsih, F., Sinurat, S., & Simanihuruk, R. (2023). The effect of Rebozo technique on the length of time for active phase I labor in the Noemuti Health Center Area in 2023. Jurnal eduhealth, 14(03), 1337-1342. https://doi.org/10.54209/jurnaleduhealth.v14i3.2737

Fumagalli, S., Antolini, L., Nespoli, A., Panzeri, M., Terenghi, T., Ferrini, S., ... & Ornaghi, S. (2024). Rebozo and advanced maternal postures: A promising set of intrapartum interventions to reduce persistent occiput posterior position of the fetal head. European Journal of Midwifery, 8, 10-18332. https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/191511

Garlock, A. E., Arthurs, J. B., & Bass, R. J. (2017). Effects of comfort education on maternal comfort and labor pain. The Journal of perinatal education, 26(2), 96. https://doi.org/10.1891/1058-1243.26.2.96

Gok, H. (2024). Pregnant Women's Opinions and Preferences Regarding Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Labor Pain Management: A Comparative Study. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 17(3), 1746-1754.

Kawabata, I., Nagase, A., Oya, A., Hayashi, M., Miyake, H., Nakai, A., & Takeshita, T. (2010). Factors influencing the accuracy of digital examination for determining fetal head position during the first stage of labor. Journal of Nippon Medical School, 77(6), 290-295. https://doi.org/10.1272/jnms.77.290

Miller, S., Abalos, E., Chamillard, M., Ciapponi, A., Colaci, D., Comandé, D., ... & Althabe, F. (2016). Beyond too little, too late and too much, too soon: a pathway towards evidence-based, respectful maternity care worldwide. The Lancet, 388(10056), 2176-2192. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31472-6

Mohammed, O. Y., Erlandsson, K., Seyoum, T., Hailemeskel, S., Derseh, L., & Lindgren, H. (2025). Dynamic birth position, awareness and practice by midwives in Ethiopia: a parallel mixed-methods study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25(1), 926. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-08051-8

Mrayan, L., Abujilban, S., AbuKaraki, A., & Nashwan, A. J. (2024). Evaluate the effectiveness of using non-pharmacological intervention during childbirth: an improvement project in Jordanian maternity hospitals. BMC Women's Health, 24(1), 605. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03414-3

Mujahidah, S. A., Dewi, A. K., Rahayu, H., & Mayangsari, D. (2024). Effectiveness of the combination of pelvic rocking and acupressure Sp 6 techniques with a combination of rebozo and counterpressure techniques on the duration of labor in the first stage in primiparous. Journal of Health Science, 1(1), 29-35. https://doi.org/10.63425/ljhs.v1i1.6

Mumtaz, N., Tariq, M. Z., Ali, A., Hayat, B., Shaikh, A. A., Ehsan, K., & Abed, M. A. R. (2024). Impact of Relaxation Techniques on Anxiety and Pain Management During Labor: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Pak-Euro Journal of Medical and Life Sciences, 7(3), 475-482. https://doi.org/10.31580/bp79ze35

Neal, J. L., Lowe, N. K., Ahijevych, K. L., Patrick, T. E., Cabbage, L. A., & Corwin, E. J. (2010). “Active labor” duration and dilation rates among low-risk, nulliparous women with spontaneous labor onset: a systematic review. Journal of midwifery & women's health, 55(4), 308-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2009.08.004

Ornaghi, S., Fumagalli, S., Antolini, L., Panzeri, M., Spandrio, R., Ferrini, S., ... & Locatelli, A. (2025). Rebozo and maternal postures to prevent persistent occiput posterior position of the fetal head: protocol for a randomised clinical trial ‘the ReMaP-POPP RCT’. BMJ open, 15(10), e103520.

Pergialiotis, V., Bellos, I., Antsaklis, A., Papapanagiotou, A., Loutradis, D., & Daskalakis, G. (2020). Maternal and neonatal outcomes following a prolonged second stage of labor: A meta-analysis of observational studies. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 252, 62-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.06.018

Schwalm, H., & Dubrauszky, V. (1966). The structure of the musculature of the human uterus—muscles and connective tissue. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 94(3), 391-404.

Shields, L. E., Smalarz, K., Reffigee, L., Mugg, S., Burdumy, T. J., & Propst, M. (2011). Comprehensive maternal hemorrhage protocols improve patient safety and reduce utilization of blood products. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 205(4), 368-e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2011.06.084

Sitorus, R. A., Sari, S. P., & Pratiwi, D. (2024). Pengaruh Teknik Rebozo Terhadap Lamanya Kala I Dalam Persalinan Pervaginam Di Klinik Eliza Bestari. Jurnal Teknologi Kesehatan Dan Ilmu Sosial (Tekesnos), 6(2), 83-87.

Sulistiyowati, D., Mayangsari, D., Mujahidah, S. A., & Afriani, A. I. (2024). the Benefits of Rebozo Technique and Spleen 6 Acupressure on the Duration of Labor in Multiparous Mothers. Jurnal Smart Kebidanan, 11(1), 43-50. https://doi.org/10.34310/gxskq489

Suprihatin, S. (2024, August). Compilation Of Rebozo Techniques, Birthing Ball, Music Therapy Toward Reducing Pain During 1st Stage Active Phase In Childbrith. In Proceeding Cendekia International Conference Health and Technology (Vol. 2, pp. 282-289).

Taheri, M., Takian, A., Taghizadeh, Z., Jafari, N., & Sarafraz, N. (2018). Creating a positive perception of childbirth experience: systematic review and meta-analysis of prenatal and intrapartum interventions. Reproductive health, 15(1), 73. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-018-0511-x

Tandoğan, Ö., & Oskay, Ü. (2024). The effect of Rebozo technique on perceived labour pain and childbirth experience: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine, 103(35), e39346. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000039346

Uludağ, D. S., & Kocatürk, A. A. (2024). The Effect of Using Rebozo Technique during Labor on the Sensation of Labor Pain and Labor Duration. Razi International Medical Journal, 4(1), 45-54. https://doi.org/10.56101/rimj.v4i1.152

Wahyuni, N. S., & Tridiyawati, F. (2024). Effectiveness Of Rebozo Technique And Massage Counter Technique On Labor Pain In Active Phase 1 At Pmb Bd Itoh 2023. International Journal of Health and Pharmaceutical (IJHP), 4(1), 168-175. https://doi.org/10.51601/ijhp.v4i1.293

Widiatrilupi, R. M. V. (2023). The influence of rebozo technique on the duration of active phase of stage i labor in primigravida mothers. Babali Nursing Research, 4(3), 393-400. https://doi.org/10.37363/bnr.2023.43259

Wijayanti, I. T., & Marfu'ah, S. (2023, July). The Effectiveness of the Rebozo Technique on the Progress of the 1st Cage of Labor. In Proceeding Cendekia International Conference Health and Technology (Vol. 1, pp. 436-440).