Effect of Topical Application of Magnesium Sulfate on the Intensity of Labor Pain: Double Blind Clinical Trial

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student of Midwifery, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mahdieh Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

4 PhD student of Biostatistics, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Labor is a painful and prolonged process. Applying an uncomplicated method to reduce the length of delivery and severity of pain can increase maternal satisfaction and decrease the rate of cesarean section. Topical magnesium sulfate is empirically used to improve the effacement and dilatation of the cervix. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of improving these variables on the intensity of labor pain.
Methods: This double blind clinical trial was conducted among 60 nulliparous women with full-term pregnancy. The participants were randomly divided into two groups of 30 individuals. The patients in the magnesium sulfate group received 10 cc of magnesium sulfate 50% and the control group were treated by 10 cc of distilled water poured on the cervix in the beginning of the active phase. Thereafter, the labor progress was studied in the groups. At the beginning of the active phase and two hours later, the severity of pain was measured using visual analog scale. Data analysis was performed using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test in SPSS software, version 17. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Prior to the intervention, the intensity of pain was not significantly different between the two groups. After 2 hours of intervention in the control group, the mean pain intensity significantly increased (P=0.04), while in the magnesium sulfate group, the pain intensity did not change significantly. Two hours after the intervention, the mean of effacement and dilatation in the magnesium sulfate group was higher (P˂0.001).
Conclusion: The application of topical magnesium sulfate reduced the duration of labor by improving the cervical condition. In addition, it reduces the intensity of labor pain. However, it did not have a negative effect on the severity of uterine contractions.

Keywords

References

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Kimyaiee P, Mansouri A, Bakhtiyari Z. The effect of magnesium sulfate in delaying delivery in premature rupture of membrane and its fetal complications. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2014; 17(127):1-9. (Persian)
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 21, Issue 5
July 2018
Pages 58-65

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