The comparison of Entonox and warm water effect on labor pain

The labor pain is a sever pain which is experienced by women. Fear of labor pain is one of the causes of elective caesarean section. Entonox is known as the most useful and the less dangerous method for mother and child. Using warm water bath- tub is useful to reduce labor pain, and relaxation of mother. The aim of this study was to compare effect of Entonox and warm water on labor pain in pregnant women referred to Khorramabad Assali hospital. This controlled clinical trial study, carried out on 150 pregnant women in active phase of first stage of delivery selected by simple sampling including three groups of Entonox (first experimental group, 50 cases), warm water (second experimental group, 50 cases)and routine method (control, 50 cases).The pain score measured with Visual analog scale (VAS).Pulse oximetry was used to determine oxyhamoglobin saturation(SaO2)and heartbeat rate during these methods. The results showed that the mean of pain score in Entonox method was significantly lower than warm water method (p <0.001).Labor progress was higher in Entonox method than warm water method and this difference was significant(p=0.005).The means of mother’s pulse rate in response to pain was significantly lower in Entonox method than warm water method(p<0.001). The mean of mothers’ SaO2 in Entonox method was significantly higher than warm water method (p <0.001). This study shows that Entonox has better effects for pain relief, labor progress, oxygenation of mother and child in comparison with warm water method, therefore we recommend Entonox method to reduce labor pain.