European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
-
Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · May 1995
ReviewThe nature and consequences of childbirth pain.
For most women, childbirth is associated with very severe pain often exceeding all expectations. Some childbirth education groups and popular texts on the subject, however, seem disposed to encourage unrealistic expectations: claiming that labour is other than painful and that pharmacological analgesia is both unnecessary and harmful. All too often, those who promote such views witness women in labour only occasionally and are rarely responsible for patient care. ⋯ As described in this review, it is now well established that uterine contraction pain evokes a generalised neuroendocrinal stress response producing widespread physiological effects during the first stage of labour. They include increased oxygen consumption, hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis; increased cardiac output, systemic peripheral resistance and blood pressure; delayed gastric emptying; impaired uterine contractility and diminished uterine perfusion; and metabolic acidaemia. While other factors (such as anxiety, starvation and physical exertion) are also partly responsible for inducing some of these effects, pain appears to be the most potent source because they are all obtunded by effective epidural analgesia.
-
Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Feb 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialAbu Dhabi third stage trial: oxytocin versus Syntometrine in the active management of the third stage of labour.
To compare the effect of oxytocin and Syntometrine when used as part of active management of third stage of labour on postpartum haemorrhage, hypertension, nausea/vomiting and retained placenta. ⋯ Prophylactic administration of oxytocin 10 U in the third stage of labour, as part of active management, reduces the incidence of maternal nausea, vomiting, headache and rise in blood pressure than does Syntometrine 1 ml without adversely affecting the rate of post partum haemorrhage.