Severe back labor pain masks a scald caused by shower hydrotherapy – a case report

Hydrotherapy is one of the non-pharmacological modalities used for labor analgesia and is available as either immersion (tub) or shower hydrotherapy.1,2 The hydrokinetic and thermal effects of warm water are believed to promote muscle relaxation and local vasodilation, while stimulating the release of endorphins.3 By activating cutaneous thermo-receptors and mechano-receptors, hydrotherapy may block upward transmission of afferent labor pain fibers at the spinal cord, thereby altering labor pain perception.

Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia - March 28, 2024 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: P.J. Angle, V Ashok, G Liu, M Trenholm, J Montbriand Tags: Case Report Source Type: research