Pain relief options
Sterile water injections (SWIs)
How are SWIs given?
- the procedure involves a small amount of sterile water (0.01–0.02 mL) injected under the skin at four locations on the lower back (sacrum)
- the injections cause a brief but intense stinging sensation, that lasts for about 30 seconds and then wears off completely
- to distract from the stinging sensation, the injections are done during a contraction by two midwives.
How can SWIs help during labour?
During labour, SWIs provide effective pain relief for up to 85% of women with back pain and can last for up to two hours.
SWIs have a number of advantages, they:
- often have an immediate effect
- have no effect on the mother's state of consciousness
- have no effect on baby
- do not limit mobility
- do not adversely affect labour progress
- are a simple procedure that can be administered by your midwife and can be repeated as needed.
More information: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby – Non-medical pain relief during labour
In this guide:
- Managing pain in labour
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Sterile water injections (SWIs)
- Nitrous oxide (gas)
- Morphine
- Epidurals