Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Background & Aim: Water birth is a non-medical intervention, which has been used throughout the world for many years. It can be considered as a new approach for enjoyable birth in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of water birth on labor pain during active phase of labor. Patients and Methods: The study was a controlled clinical trial in which 114 full term pregnant women gravida 1 st to 3 rd participated. We performed voluntary sampling for experimental group(n=52) and conventional sampling for control group(n=62). Women of both groups, entered the study after having 4-5cm of dilatation(begining of active phase of labor) and all contributors received special individual care whereas the experimental group was put in a warm water pool of temperature between 36.8˚c to 39˚c at least for one hour at the beginning of trial, and during the second stage of labor. A 10 point ruler was used to measure labor pain in different stages of labor. We used paired sample t-test in order to compare pain change scores within each group. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and independent sample t-test were used to compare the pain mean scores between two groups. P value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant level. Results: Our finding showed that, in the first 15 minutes the intensity of pain was stabilized in the experimental group, but was increased in control group(P=0.009). In the second stage of labor, the pain was significantly more severe in control than experimental group(P<0.0001). Overall, patients in the experimental group suffered less pain than the controls. With the exception of the above mentioned points, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Warm water pool can be an effective way to decrease labor pain and alleviating her suffering especially during first and second stages of labor. Although there were not much significant statistical differences between the two groups, experimental group suffered less pain which could be of clinical importance. Even though the pain of labor is lessened to a small extent, it could be a pleasant experience for the mothers and probably an effective step in decreasing the number of selective cesearen sections, which are performed mainly because of fear of labor pain.