Sterile water injections for childbirth pain: An evidenced based guide to practice

The literature reported that about 30% of women complaints low back pain during labour. Results of several systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that the women who received sterile water injections (SWIs) experienced less pain than the placebo. The present report suggested that Subcutaneous injections of SWIs provide excellent pain relief for lower back pain during labour.  

The incidences of lower back pain during labour are 30%. One of the effective approaches to maintaining low back pain during labour is sterile water injections. This study aimed to promote the clinical use of sterile water injections to alleviate lower back pain among labouring females.

Computerised literature searches of scientific databases were done to identify the associated publications. The assessment of the methodological quality of each study was done using the modified version of the Jadad scale. Recommendations concerning the clinical use of sterile water injections for pain reduction during labour were described with concern to the location of injection administration, the number of injections used, amount of sterile water in each injection, various injection techniques, and associated adverse effects.

Both the injection techniques presented a significant pain reduction. Subcutaneous injection approach was less painful as compared to intracutaneous approach; however, it was uncertain if this influences the efficacy.  

Based on the current state of knowledge, the recommendation at present is to provide four injections. Although, the diversity in injection approach and number of injections present considerable levels of pain relaxation and can be renewed as often as needed with no adverse effect on the female or her foetus.