Relief of Low Back Labor Pain by Using Intracutaneous Injections of Sterile Water: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Phiangjit Wiruchpongsanon MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taksin Hospital
Objective : To study the effectiveness of intracutaneous injections of sterile water in relieving low back pain
during labor in Thai women.
Study
Design : Randomized controlled trial
Setting : Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taksin Hospital, Bangkok
Materials and Methods : Fitfy pregnant women at term, requiring pain relief for severe low back pain during the
first stage of labor. The women were randomized to receive either 4 intracutaneous injections of 0.1 mL sterile
water (n = 25) or isotonic saline as placebo (n = 25).
Main outcome measures: Pain scores measured by visual analogue scale.
Results : Mean pain scores were significantly lower among the treatment group compared to the placebo
group at 30 minutes, 1 and 2 hours after injections (p = 0.018, 0.046, and 0.027 respectively). Mean pain
reduction were significantly greater in the treatment group compared to the placebo group at 30 minutes, 1
and 2 hours after injections (p < 0.001). There was no difference between the two groups with regard to time
to delivery and rate of instrumental and cesarean delivery.
Conclusion : The intracutaneous injections of sterile water was found to be an effective treatment against
lower back pain during the first stage of labor.
Keywords : Labor pain, Intracutaneous injection, Sterile water
