The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Oct 2003
ReviewNeuraxial analgesia for labor and birth: implications for mother and fetus.
Women are better educated today on issues related to labor and childbirth. Pain management options for the woman in labor have changed dramatically over the last decade. ⋯ The shift from regional anesthesia with significant motor-blockade during labor, where the woman is a passive participant during the labor and birth, to a collaborative approach for pain management, where the woman becomes an active participant, has resulted in a new philosophy of analgesia for labor and birth. This article provides a review of current neuraxial analgesia/anesthesia techniques used for pain management in labor and birth and their implications for the perinatal nurse.
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Health care providers including nurses and childbirth educators are crucial resources for childbearing families for accurate and current information regarding nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions available for pain management in labor. All medications that are administered to laboring women have maternal and fetal effects. In order to assist women in the decision for relief of labor discomforts, health care professionals must be knowledgeable of the chemical actions and adverse effects of all medications offered to women in labor. This article discusses various types of therapeutic options used for pain management for the relief of labor discomfort.