In plain words
Sterile water injection is a method used for back pain during labor. A care provider injects small amounts of sterile water just under the skin of the lower back. The sensation is intense for a short time, and the aim is to ease deeper back pain from contractions. Some mothers find it helpful, especially with back labor, when the baby is positioned with the back toward the mother's back. The evidence for it is limited. Mothers may hear about it as one of several comfort methods during labor. Its availability varies by hospital and by care team, and it is discussed as one option among many.
The deeper version
Sterile water injection, also called sterile water blocks, involves subcutaneous injections of sterile water in the lower back during labor. It is thought to act through local nociceptive stimulation and counter-irritation. The Cochrane review of labor pain management by Jones and colleagues (2012) classified sterile water injection among methods with insufficient evidence, while classifying analgesia as effective and and massage as possibly effective. Pain outcomes in these trials are measured with heterogeneous designs, and blinding is difficult for most non-pharmacologic methods.
Where it comes up
- Back labor and baby's positionGetting Ready for Birth
- Pain options: from breathing to epiduralGetting Ready for Birth
What mothers here say about sterile water injection
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Sources
- Jones L et al. — Pain management for women in labour: an overview of systematic reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012