Pain relief for the first stage of labour using an electric massage chair

INTERVENTION: Nulliparous women at term in the first stage of labour will be randomised to 30 minutes on the electric massage chair with the massaging function switched on then cross over to 30 minutes with the massaging function switched off or 30 minutes on the electric massage chair with the massaging function switched off then cross over to 30 minutes with the massaging function switched on. A commercially procured electric massage chair that provides a full body massage program will be used. CONDITION: Pain relief in labour ; Pregnancy and Childbirth PRIMARY OUTCOME: Pain score (0 to 10 numerical rating scale) measured using an 11‐point visual numerical rating scale (VNRS) (0 scoring as no pain at all to 10 as the worst pain imaginable) immediately after each 30‐minute session on the massage chair with the massage function switched on or off SECONDARY OUTCOME: Maternal outcomes: ; 1. Mode of delivery measured by reviewing patient’s notes after delivery; 2. Intervention to delivery interval measured by reviewing patient’s notes after delivery; 3. Epidural anaesthesia in labour measured by reviewing patient’s notes after delivery; 4. Likert scale response to the questionnaire on pain relieving effectiveness of the massage by the massage chair after delivery; ; Neonatal outcomes:; 4. Umbilical cord arterial pH measured by reviewing patient’s notes at birth ; 5. Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes measured by reviewing patient’s notes at birth ; 6. Neonatal admission measured by reviewing patient’s notes at birth INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Nulliparous (no previous pregnancy beyond 20 weeks) 2. Aged 18 years old and over 3. 37 weeks gestation and over 4. Singleton pregnancy 5. Cephalic presentation 6. Reassuring cardiotocogram in last 1 hour 7. Cervical dilation 4‐8 cm 8. Contraction = 3 in 10 minutes 9. Pain score = 5 (0‐10 NRS)