The hospital wants more money to complete the study

The results of the small-scale study suggest regular massage by the woman's partner before and during labour can substantially reduce the need for painkilling drugs.

The Horton Hospital in Banbury also suggests massage "encourages a sense of calm", with the babies of the 35 women on the study being more placid and alert at birth.

The hospital is now looking for money to carry out more in-depth research.

This supports our philosophy of active childbirth, encouraging drug-free labours that create conditions for natural hormonal impulses to occur Anne Haines, midwife

Each of the couples on the study was asked to carry out the massage programme for three evenings a week, for around 30 minutes.

Medical staff at the hospital say they had grown particularly concerned at the level of interventions in childbirth, involving drugs or surgery.

Last year only 47.9% of women in the UK experienced a completely normal birth.

Delivery suite manager Anne Haines said: "This programme supports our maternity unit's philosophy of active childbirth, encouraging drug-free labours that create conditions for natural hormonal impulses to occur."

Pain relieving injections were used by 11% of the women in the study, compared with an average at the hospital of 27%.