Hydrotherapy as a Nursing Intervention for Labour Pain

Abstract

This literature review provides a brief history of hydrotherapy during labour, a summary of the existing literature, and implications for practice. The objective of the literature review is to explore the evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of hydrotherapy as a method to alleviate labour pain during the first stage of labour. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted in August 2016 using CINAHL, ProQuest, and MedLine databases. Keywords used were: hydrotherapy, water immersion, intrapartum, labour and/or nurse with truncation and Boolean methods. The inclusion criteria for the search were: articles available in English, accessible electronically, peer-reviewed, and with year restrictions of 2005-2016. The search yielded one practice guideline, four recommendations from regulatory colleges, three systematic reviews, and five single studies. The author concludes that hydrotherapy for low risk parturients is a safe and effective method of pain control that empowers nurses and promotes positive patient outcomes.

The use of hydrotherapy in the first stage of labour: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…This study observed that women undergoing hydrotherapy experienced about a 33‐min shorter first stage of labour, compared with the control group. This finding was consistent with the literature (Cowan et al, 2017; Zhang & Yang, 2022). One study reported that a longer duration of labour may be associated with increase in interventions (Barber et al, 2011).…”

“…This study showed that the use of hydrotherapy in the first stage of labour effectively reduces the intensity of pain. Similar results were reported in previous studies (Burns et al, 2022; Cluett et al, 2018; Cowan et al, 2017). It has been asserted in the literature that by reducing the level of vasopression, hydrotherapy increases uterine perfusion, thereby facilitating neurohormonal interactions and resulting in less pain (Henrique et al, 2018; Mascarenhas et al, 2019).…”

“…Hydrotherapy is one of the non-pharmacological methods used in childbirth in both the first and second stages of labour. Hydrotherapy is used in the form of hot showers as well as in methods such as immersion in water, hot, cold or warm baths in bathtubs or immersion in warm water in a jacuzzi (Cowan et al, 2017;Taghavi et al, 2015). Observational and experimental research has revealed that the application of hydrotherapy during labour for at least 20-30 min at a temperature of 37-38 C increases blood circulation, promotes muscle relaxation and raises endorphin levels, resulting in lessening pain and increasing the mother's satisfaction with the birth process (Mollamahmuto glu et al, 2012;Tas ¸kın, 2019).…”

“…Childbirth is a physiological process and it can be difficult and painful for some women giving birth (Cowan et al, 2017). Keeping mother and child safe during labour, appropriately managing issues that may occur and making the mother comfortable are components of intrapartum care.…”

Comparison of the effects of TENS stimulation and water immersion on relieving labour pain suffered byprimiparas

“…In more recenttimes, in Europe in the 1970s, Michael Odent was a great proponentof water immersion. During childbirth, women can enjoy full immersion in a bath, pool or shower [1].The warming effect during bathing reduces the pain of childbirth by increasing the production of oxytocin, which in turn contributes to the reduction of pain receptors. In addition, warm water calms the woman down, reducing her pain [2].…”