INTRODUCTION: Prolonged labor is associated with numerous problems for mother and baby. Exercise with labor ball is one of non-pharmacological and effective methods in delivery. Since the study which evaluated the effect of exercise with birth ball during pregnancy was not found in valid databases, thus, this study was performed with aim to determine the effect of exercise with special ball during pregnancy on duration of active phase of first stage of labor in nulliparous women. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 50 nulliparous women with gestational of 34 weeks referred to obstetric clinic of Mashhad Omolbanin hospital from Aug 2013 to Feb 2014. They were randomized in two group of control (n = 25) and intervention (n = 25). The mothers in intervention group performed exercise regularly with birth ball for 6 to 4 weeks from 34 weeks of gestation for 16 to 24 session, and the control group received routine care. Then, length of first stage of labor in both group was measured with onset of active phase of labor in the maternity. Data were collected by Questionnaire forms, exercise record check list, observation and examination of first stage of labor. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16), and Mann-Whitney test, independent t-test, paired t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: The mean duration of active phase of first stage of labor was 409.52 +/- 6.6 minutes in intervention group and 430.20 +/- 0.37 minutes in control group that two groups were significantly different in terms of duration of active phase of first stage of labor (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise program with birth ball during pregnancy can help the patients as a useful and low cost method for reducing the duration of active phase of labor, and also decreases the complications of prolonged labor in mother and baby and consequently reduces the instrumental and cesarean delivery.

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