The SATURN Trial – Sterile wAter injecTions for the relief of laboUR paiN
Medical pain relief options for labour have changed little in 50 years. While epidurals are effective other options such as opioids or (laughing) gas are often ineffective and all come with unwanted side effects. Our placebo-controlled trial will test the use of injections of sterile water to relieve contraction pain in labour; proven by our team as safe and effective for back pain in labour. We will also use a vapocoolant spray to reduce the degree of injection pain experienced by women. If successful the trial will provide a simple and safe choice for labour pain relief. The study is a collaboration between researchers from the University of Queensland (Dr Nigel Lee, Dr Belinda Barnet), the University of Skövde (Professor Lena Mårtensson), Charles Darwin University (Professor Sue Kildea, Associate Professor Yu Gao) and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Professor Leonie Callaway). The trial is funded by the Australian Federal Government Medical Research Future Fund (APP2006488). Trial registration is pending.