Revista de enfermería (Barcelona, Spain)
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Analgesia during childbirth is a right which should be at the disposal of every woman who desires it. Adequate pain control may reduce maternal anxiety and thus help make childbirth become a more satisfactory procedure. The parenteral administration of meperidine and epidural anesthesia are the most utilized types of obstetrical analgesia. ⋯ Meperidine is very easy to administer; however, meperidine affects the degree of maternal consciousness and produces neonatal depression. On the other hand, epidural anesthesia has stronger analgesic power and does not interfere in the maternal-child relationship; however, it increases the risk of difficulties during childbirth. These secondary effects are the counterweights to consider when deciding whether or not to administer analgesia and if so, which kind.