AIIMS Bhopal Study: Nurse-Led Breathing Technique Eases Labor For First-Time Mothers

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): AIIMS, Bhopal, assessed the impact of a nurse-led breathing exercise technique on labor outcomes among first-time pregnant women in tertiary care hospitals of Central India.

As per the AIIMS research study, it was found that women who followed the guided breathing protocol required fewer medical interventions during labor, experienced shorter durations of labor, and had an overall more comfortable and satisfactory childbirth experience.

The study demonstrated that nurse-led breathing exercises are a cost- effective, easy to implement, and impactful strategy to improve maternal health, especially in resource-limited settings. Dr Lily Podder, associate professor at the College of Nursing, AIIMS Bhopal, represented the institute at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress 2025 held in Helsinki, Finland.

The theme of this year’s Congress was ‘Nursing Power to Change the World,’ with a special focus on universal health coverage, workforce well-being, ethical leadership, and digital health transformation. The ICN also released new global definitions of ‘nursing’ and ‘nurse,’ providing a renewed understanding of the scientific, ethical, and social roles of the profession.

At this international platform, Podder presented a scientific e-poster 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.”