Intradermal water injections for labor?

Published

Specializes in OB; NBN; SCN.

Hey there,

I'm looking for information from anyone where intradermal sterile water injections for back pain in labor are actually done. It's one of those things that I only can find it in the research things here in eastern NC. The first thing I need is info: who is qualified to do these? what does a typical policy look like? that sort of thing.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

Hi! I'm from eastern nc also. I've never heard of intradermal water injections. I look forward to the replys that are posted to find out more about this procedure. Can you explain what it involves?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Try googling "sterile water papules". I have also never done it but I have found specific instructions before-- no time to search for it now. Good luck- I have heard that while they sting like crazy going in they are very effective.

ETA: around here I have heard nurses can do them without a doctor's order- they are considered a nursing intervention. I would probably get an order before I did them though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, CASE MANAGEMENT.

HI I really think you have to have a drs order for this as it is invasive it is also something you might want to check with your board on because once it is in you cant take it back. I am in the south and have 19 years experience in l&d and i have never seen nor heard of it being done

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, House Sup, ER, Med Surg.

Our CNM uses these occasionally for back labor. It is surprisingly effective. RNs can do this. It is basically like a TB test - 4 injections of sterile water are placed intradermally.

AWHONN's Perinatal Nursing book has a section detailing the procedure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, CASE MANAGEMENT.

I have read about the proceedure but I really think we have to have a md order here

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What is the physiology behind this idea?

Thanks.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

http://www.google.com/search?q=sterile+water+papules&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

This is results of the google search I did; I think the mechanism is counterirritation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks prmenrs . . . .what I read talks about it being like accupressure.

And this is for the first stage of labor - hmmm . . . I had back labor but it wasn't "killer" until the end at transition.

All the women in the study I read had Demerol too. Which I hated - it did nothing for the pain, just made you a zombie in between.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OOOh I had this!!!

Ok its for back labor. It has something to do with it disrupts nerve impulses and can help a laboring mom relax enough to get complete to be able to push when they are having bad back labor.

The homebirth midwives in my area do this. Its really quite neat how it works. I truely does help even though there is nothing really being given for pain relief.

However from explanation from my MW its only really effective 1 or 2 times, after being done once or twice it provides little to no relief.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I would have been willing to try it after 8 hours of back labor and only dilating from 1-2cm.:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB; NBN; SCN.

I will check the guidelines, have that book at work. Do you happen to have a policy? I'd love something to look at for an idea of what to draft and present for approval.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion