Diamorphine for pain relief in labour : a randomised controlled trial comparing intramuscular injection and patient-controlled analgesia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of diamorphine administered by a patient-controlled pump (patient-controlled analgesia) with intramuscular administration for pain relief in labour.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
The South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.


METHODS
Primigravidae and multigravidae in labour at term (37-42 weeks).


METHODS
Women were randomised in labour to the study (patient-controlled analgesia) or control group (intramuscular). Randomisation was achieved through a random permuted block design stratified by parity. Study group women were given a loading dose of 1.2 mg diamorphine intravenously and then attached to the pump. Control group women received intramuscular diamorphine as per hospital protocol. Participants were also given 3 mg of buccal Stemetil. Data were collected throughout labour and at six postnatal weeks.


METHODS
Analgesia requirements during labour and women's satisfaction with the method of pain relief.


RESULTS
Women in the study group (patient-controlled analgesia) used significantly less diamorphine than women in the control group (intramuscular) but were significantly more likely to state that they were very dissatisfied with their use of diamorphine and were significantly more likely to opt out of the trial before the birth of the baby. The majority of women in both groups used other analgesia concurrent with diamorphine such as Entonox, aromatherapy or TENS.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient-controlled analgesia administration of diamorphine for the relief of pain in labour offers no significant advantages over intramuscular administration. The results also suggest that diamorphine is a poor analgesic for labour pain irrespective of the mode of administration.
McInnes
Rhona J
RJ
School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Glasgow, UK.
Hillan
Edith
E
Clark
Diana
D
Gilmour
Harper
H
D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005260:Female; D020073:Gravidity; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D003932:Heroin