Journal of midwifery & women's health
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J Midwifery Womens Health · May 2011
ReviewA review of systemic opioids commonly used for labor pain relief.
Parenteral opioids for pain relief during labor have been the subject of research for many decades. Commonly used systemic opioids provide limited pain relief during labor yet are used extensively for managing labor pain. These opioids share similar pharmacologic profiles but differ in potency, pharmacokinetics, and side effects. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical research related to the commonly used systemic labor pain analgesics morphine, meperidine, fentanyl, remifentanil, butorphanol, and nalbuphine.
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Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are drug-related adverse events that occur in individuals using usual or therapeutic doses of medication. Women have a nearly 2-fold greater risk for developing ADRs than men, and they are more likely to be hospitalized secondary to an ADR. This article reviews the physiologic mechanisms of ADRs, common clinical manifestations of ADRs to medications often prescribed in women's health care, documentation and reporting of ADRs, and ADR prevention strategies.
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J Midwifery Womens Health · Mar 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of birth ball usage on pain in the active phase of labor: a randomized controlled trial.
Anxiety can be a contributor to labor pain, which is known to be multifactorial. Because there is little information available on the efficacy of birth ball use for labor pain management, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of use of a birth ball on labor pain, contractions, and duration of the active phase of labor. ⋯ Although the use of a birth ball had no effect on the duration of the active phase of labor, the duration of uterine contractions, or the interval between contractions, this complementary treatment could reduce the intensity of pain during the active phase of labor.