the ideal obstetric analgesic

Last reviewed 01/2018

The ideal obstetric analgesia will harm neither mother nor foetus.

Some considerations are given below:

• the pain relief should not interfere with uterine contraction
• there should be no increase in operative intervention in women given analgesia
• the respiratory centre of the newborn should be unaffected
• the analgesia should be easy to administer
• consider safety, efficacy and cost