Sterile water injections for labour pain

[hannahmrfox]

Hi - I'm trying to find out more about sterile water injections in your back to treat labour pain. It's something that's practised a lot in Australia/NZ, but I wanted to know if anyone in any UK hospitals had had it and whether it was any good.
Thanks!

[ReallyTired]

I have never heard of it. It sounds like a placebo or aquapuncture. If you are going to be injected then you might as well have a decent pain killer like a spinal block or an epidural. I think an injection of water would annoy the hell of most women in labour.

In the UK gas and air is really common for pain relief. Some some use a TENS machine or have a water birth if they want to be natural. If you have a particualarly long or nasty labour then many women have petidine or an epidural.

[ReallyTired]

I had a read of it here.

www.mater.org.au/Home/Hospitals/Mater-Mothers-Hospital/Labour-and-birth/SWITCh/About-Sterile-Water-Injections

Some women feel little or no pain between contractions. Having a contraction feels like your guts are being squeesed out. Many women experience no pain between contractions. I believe that sterile water is used to help back pain associated with a back to back baby.

[Greentree123]

I think this is a really good idea, anything to help with the pain. I will be interested to hear from anyone who has tried this

[olivertheoctopus]

Urgh, I had back labour with DS1, it was hideous. Never heard of this though. Labour with DS2 was fine so must have been down to positioning so hopefully no3 will be like DS2!

[Choccybaby]

Looks like a placebo, not that there's anything wrong with that, but not commonly used in UK I don't think.
You could try something similar DIY like getting your partner to pinch you in those same areas perhaps?

[organiccarrotcake]

It's not a placebo, although of course placebos can be very effective. I came across this elsewhere... must look into it.