COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) VERSUS STERILE WATER INJECTION (SWI) FOR LABOUR ANALGESIA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Labour pain is severe and impacts maternal-fetal health. This study compares non-pharmacological TENS, which blocks pain via the Gate Control Theory, and Sterile Water Injection (SWI), which utilizes diffuse noxious inhibitory control. Both offer safe, effective analgesia, reducing VAS scores and enhancing maternal satisfaction without affecting labour duration or neonatal outcomes. Aims: This study compares the efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation(TENS) and intradermal sterile water injection (SWI) in reducing labour pain and to assess feto-maternal outcomes and maternal satisfaction. Methodology: A prospective interventional study was conducted among 125 term pregnant women aged 21-35 years scheduled for normal vaginal delivery. Participants were divided into Group T (TENS), Group S (Sterile Water Injection), and Group C (Control). Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline and intervals up to 360 minutes.