Effect of sterile water blocks on low back pain during labor

Background and Low back pain is reported by 15-74 percent of women in labor. Acupuncture is one of the pain relief methods mentioned in scientific resources. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relief of low back pain in labor with intradermal injection of sterile water. In this clinical randomized trial, 100 pregnant Women at term with a singelton, and vertex presentation and normal labor progress were selected in two Mashad hospitals, randomized into two groups: one groups received intradermal injection of sterile water (0.1ml) in the lumbosacral region and the other group received intradermal dry needle (placebo). The mother was asked to express the intensity of her low back pain by VAS before the blocks were given and immediately 10, 54, 90 minutes after blocks and also Just before delivery. Data were analyzed with x2, T-test, Monova, Manwithney by using SPSS software. The mean reduction in VAS scores in intradermal injections of sterile water group, immediately, 10, 45, 90 minutes after injection and also just before delivery were 6.04, 6.28, 5.58, 5.50, 4.92 respectively and placebo group were 1.14, 1.04, 0.30, -0.28-0.86 respectively (p<0.001).The maximum effects last for 13.20 hours and 3.75 hour in the intradermal water injection and placebo respectively (p<0.001). The rate of lasting effects until delivery were 82% and 8% in intradermal water injection group and placebo group respectively (p<0.001). The findings suggest that intradermal injections of sterile water are an effective and simple method to reduce back pain and are easily performed by clinical personnel.