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Comparison of the effects of TENS stimulation and water immersion on relieving labour pain suffered byprimiparas
, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4
Affiliations- Gdansk Collage of Health, Poland
- Department of Physiotherapy and Wellness, Institute of Health Sciences, Pomeranian University in Slupsk, Poland
- Praxis Physiotherapie Jeske, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zielona Gora, Collegium Medicum, Poland
open access
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare pain suffered by primiparas when delivering a child in a traditional way with deliveries where either TENS stimulation or water immersion was used.
Material and methods: Primiparas were divided into 3 groups. In group 1 there were 45 women for whom TENS stimulation was applied during delivery. Group 2 consisted of 38 women who remained in the water during the actual birth of the baby. Group 3 served as the control group and was composed of 32 women. The intensity of pain during delivery was assessed by means of a numerical scale. During the first delivery period, pain was assessed three times at cervical dilation of 2, 3 and 4 fingers.
Results: The analysis of pain suffered by primiparas at 2-finger widening showed no statistically significant differences between the groups. However, the analysis of pain experienced at 3-finger opening showed significant differences between the group of women using TENS stimulation in comparison with the control group. When comparing pain at 4-finger opening, statistically significant differences were found between the group of women who delivered in water in comparison to both the control group and the group using TENS stimulation.
Conclusions: TENS stimulation and water immersion are good methods to relieve labour pain; particularly helpful in the first period of labour. They are also safe, alternative, non-pharmacological methods of reducing labour pain.
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare pain suffered by primiparas when delivering a child in a traditional way with deliveries where either TENS stimulation or water immersion was used.
Material and methods: Primiparas were divided into 3 groups. In group 1 there were 45 women for whom TENS stimulation was applied during delivery. Group 2 consisted of 38 women who remained in the water during the actual birth of the baby. Group 3 served as the control group and was composed of 32 women. The intensity of pain during delivery was assessed by means of a numerical scale. During the first delivery period, pain was assessed three times at cervical dilation of 2, 3 and 4 fingers.
Results: The analysis of pain suffered by primiparas at 2-finger widening showed no statistically significant differences between the groups. However, the analysis of pain experienced at 3-finger opening showed significant differences between the group of women using TENS stimulation in comparison with the control group. When comparing pain at 4-finger opening, statistically significant differences were found between the group of women who delivered in water in comparison to both the control group and the group using TENS stimulation.
Conclusions: TENS stimulation and water immersion are good methods to relieve labour pain; particularly helpful in the first period of labour. They are also safe, alternative, non-pharmacological methods of reducing labour pain.
Keywords
TENS; water immersion; delivery pain; physiological delivery
About this articleTitle
Comparison of the effects of TENS stimulation and water immersion on relieving labour pain suffered byprimiparas
Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
512-517
Published online
2021-04-08
Page views
1524
Article views/downloads
1184
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2021;92(7):512-517.
Keywords
TENS
water immersion
delivery pain
physiological delivery
Authors
Ewa Grymel-Kulesza
Katarzyna M. Pawlowska
Jakub Pawlowski
Agnieszka Grochulska
Marcelina Belkius
Izabela Jerzak
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