Women and Birth
Volume 21, Issue 4 , Pages 157-163, December 2008

Intradermal sterile water injections for the relief of low back pain in labour—A systematic review of the literature

  • Vikki Fogarty

      Affiliations

    • UNSW Rural Clinical School, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
    • Pregnancy Care Service, Coffs Harbour Health Campus, NSW 2450, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationTel.: +61 2 6656 5300.

Received 21 June 2008; received in revised form 22 August 2008; accepted 26 August 2008.

Summary 

Objective

To search literature published on the administration of intradermal sterile water injections to women in labour who experience severe low back pain, and to critically evaluate the evidence for therapeutic merit.

Method

A systematic review of six randomised controlled trials from countries including Canada, Denmark, Iran, Sweden and Thailand was conducted.

Results

Statistically significant findings (p<0.0001) of relief of low back pain in labour lasting from 10min to 2h post-administration.

Conclusion

Intradermal injections of sterile water possess powerful analgesic benefits for women experiencing low back pain in labour and their use in this therapeutic setting is justifiable.

Keywords: Pain, Labour, Injections, Intradermal, Subcutaneous, Water

 

PII: S1871-5192(08)00078-4

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2008.08.003

Women and Birth
Volume 21, Issue 4 , Pages 157-163, December 2008

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