Whatever came naturally during labor. Their activities were observed by a research associate. Who served not only as a control for the subject receiving extra attention but also to record whether anyone in the control group was receiving massage. None of the control group mothers requested or received massage from their partners . even though 60% had been previously exposed to massage. The same baseline and follow – up assessment were con-ducted at the same time as those of the massage group (a pre-/post-20-min interval ).