Subcutaneous Sterile Water Injection for Labor Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aims: This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of subcutaneous injection of sterile water compared with placebo in reduction of labor pain. Methods: Two hundred and forty pregnant women at term planned for normal vaginal delivery during the first stage of labor were randomized to receive either subcutaneous injection of sterile water (study group, n=120) or normal saline as placebo (control group, n=120) at painful point in lumbosacral region. Pain score was measured before and 10, 45 and 90 minutes after the injections. Main outcome measured was reduction of low back labor pain using visual analogue scale. Results: The mean pain score was equal in both groups prior to the injection. The pain scores were significantly lower among the intervention group compared to the control group at 10, 45, 90 minutes after injection. There was no difference between the two groups with regard to rate of instrumental delivery, cesarean rate and neonatal outcome.Conclusions: The subcutaneous injection of sterile water administered at painful point in lumbosacral area was effective in reducing low back labor pain during labor. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v8i2.9777

Effect of subcutaneous sterile water injection at the lumbosacral region on labour back pain

“…Both findings are consistent with that of a clinical trial conducted in Nepal; [15] where, 120 parturients were given four subcutaneous injections of 0.1 ml sterile water in the lumbosacral region. Using 10-points visual analogue scale, pain severity was rated before injection and at the 10th, 45th and 90th minute post injection.…”

“…Maternal satisfaction that was reported by the subjects of the present study and of Peart's and Lee et al's studies, [14,17] as well as, the majority of women who were decided to repeat the use of subcutaneous injections of the sterile water in Rai's study [15] can be attributed to the evidence decrease in the labour pain scores.…”

“…[17] On the 2nd postpartum day, the author found that 47 women out of 52 (90%) had rated their satisfaction with the labour pain relief as either very satisfied or satisfied. In another way, Rai et al (2013) [15] had inquired 120 postpartum women about their concerns of the provided method for pain relief during labour (i.e., 4 subcutaneous injections of 0.1 sterile water) and had asked the women whether they are willing to receive the same pain management method in their subsequent delivery or no? The authors found that 100 (83.3%) of the subjects were willing to use the method in their future labour.…”

“…The authors found that 100 (83.3%) of the subjects were willing to use the method in their future labour. [15] Additionally, a randomised non-inferiority controlled trial [14] investigated the maternal satisfaction with a single versus a four intradermal sterile water injection technique, and found that labouring women were accepted it as an effective option in relieving severe low back pain during labour. Moreover, the finding of such trial revealed that a single intradermal sterile water injection technique is no less effective than the routinely used four injection technique for lower back pain during labour.…”

A Review of Randomized Clinical Trials on the Effect of Aromatherapy with Lavender on Labor Pain Relief

“…Labor pain is recognized as one of the most severe human pain. 1,2 Severe pain associated to vaginal delivery can cause abnormal uterine action during labor which might lead to increased medical interventions such as caesarian section (C/S). 3 According to world health report, the rate of C/S in Iran is too high 4 and up to 60% of Iranian women are interested in C/S to endure less pain during childbirth.…”