The Use Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation During The First Stage Of Labor

Purpose The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy in the first stages of labor,that is,pain and other labor outcomes aspects such as,duration of labor,Apgar score,postpartum hemorrhage and oxytocin usage,in order to explore new method of obstetric pain management.Methods In this study,we screened pregnant women with low risk of natural childbirth at three top hospital in Changsha,between February 2016 to August 2016.The eligible subjects were assigned into Experiment group(n=161)and Control group(n=165).In the experimental group,transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS)was used during childbirth and in control group utilized routine obstetric care.Before the intervention,mothers were requested to complete the baseline questionnaire,which included social demographic information.During the delivery,the pain scores were collected before the intervention,30,60,120 minutes after the intervention and 2-24 hours postpartum pain,with the visual analogue scale(VAS).In addition,after delivery,the researchers also collected data on the first,second and third stage of labor duration,the experimental group adverse events,postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal condition.Results 1.After electric stimulation,the pain scores of experimental group at different time points were lower than those of the control group,and the difference were statistically significant(P<0.05);2.The latent phrase of experimental group had a longer duration compared with the control group,and the difference were statistically significant(P<0.05);3.The active phase of experimental group had a shorter duration than the control group,the difference between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05);4.TENS had no significant effect on the duration of delivery and neonatal outcome,Apgar score,postpartum hemorrhage,and the duration of labor in the second and third stages between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy can effectively reduce the labor pain,shorten the first active phase of labor,with no negative effects on both mother and fetus.In addition,TENS is safe,relatively cheap and easy to operate.However,bio-feed TENS unit is expensive to purchase and high maintenance cost,which involves the long-term training of midwives.Therefore,for effective,wide use of TENS in clinical setting,more research is needed.But we still need to carry out more clinical research in order to further promote the use of TENS in clinical practice.