British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
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Br J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialLack of analgesic effect of systemically administered morphine or pethidine on labour pain.
To evaluate the true analgesic effect of morphine and pethidine on labour pain. ⋯ It is concluded that labour pain is not sensitive to systemically administered morphine or pethidine. These drugs only cause heavy sedation. It therefore seems unethical and medically incorrect to meet parturients' requests for pain relief by giving them sedation. Considering the well documented negative effects on newborn infants we also believe systemic pethidine should be avoided in labour.