Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN
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J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs · Nov 2003
ReviewAnalgesia and anesthesia during labor and birth: implications for mother and fetus.
Labor and birth, although viewed as a normal physiological process, can produce significant pain, requiring appropriate pain management. Systemic analgesia and regional analgesia/anesthesia have become less common, whereas the use of newer neuraxial techniques, with minimal motor blockade, have become more popular. ⋯ This article provides a review of the current systemic analgesics and regional and neuraxial analgesia/anesthesia techniques for pain management in labor and birth. Also addressed are implications for perinatal nurses who participate in pain management choices during labor and birth.