The effect of sterile water injection in labour pain management: A randomized, single blind, plasebo controlled trial

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of Sterile Water Injection (SWI) application on birth pain management, low back pain at birth, vital signs, duration of labour, newborn APGAR score, pregnant satisfaction and difference between Intradermal (ID) and Subcutaneous (SC) SWI. Method: This study is a placebo-controlled, single-blind and randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted between July 2019-March 2020 with 132 pregnant, including ID (ISWI) (33 pregnant), SC (SSWI) (33 pregnant), placebo (SC Saline Solution Injection) (33 pregnant) and control (33 pregnant). Pain scores were assessed at before and after intervention 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min using a Visual Analogue Scale. Also, duration of labour, newborn APGAR score, vital signs and pregnant satisfaction were evaluated. Results: It was determined that the severity of low back pain at birth in pregnant women in the ISWI, SSWI, placebo and control groups differed between the groups and the lowest pain severity belonged to the ISWI group (p=0.048). Pregnant satisfaction was found higher in the ISWI group than in the other groups and there was a significant difference between the other groups (p=0.012). Additionally, there were no significant difference in the vital signs, newborn APGAR score and duration of labour women between the groups (p=0.468, p=0.100, p=0.346, respectively). Conclusion: The study proved SWI is an effective method for reducing low back pain at birth, increasing pregnant satisfaction of pregnant. Also, it was determined that SWI has no negative effect on vital signs of pregnant women and newborn APGAR scores. The ID method has also been proven to be more effective than the SC method. Pregnant women who have birth pain, it is recommended that the use of SWI should be generalized, which is simple and economic. Key words: Low back pain at birth, duration of labour, nurse, sterile water injection, vital signs