open access

Vol 92, No 10 (2021)
Review paper
Published online: 2021-09-21
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Anaesthesia of pregnant women

Zaneta Jastrzebska-Stojko1, Marcin Sadlocha2
·
Pubmed: 34747002
·
Ginekol Pol 2021;92(10):735-740.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anaesthesiology, University Clinical Center, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
  2. Clinic of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Department of Heath Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

open access

Vol 92, No 10 (2021)
REVIEW PAPERS Obstetrics
Published online: 2021-09-21

Abstract

Labor pain is not only an unpleasant mental experience, but one of the most important factors that may negatively affect the course of labor and the well-being of the fetus. Over the years, many techniques for relieving labor pain have been developed, ranging from non-pharmacological (acupuncture, TENS, hypnosis...), through opioids and aeriform anesthetics, to regional analgesia techniques. Numerous studies and meta-analyzes prove that central blockades are the gold standard of labor analgesia and debunk the myths that these blockages are negatively limited to the course of labor. In the light of recent studies, the claim that epidural analgesia increases the risk of termination by caesarean section should be rejected. It has also been proven that central blockades do not lower the child’s APGAR score. Feeling, an indication to use a central block during labor, should be a subjective intolerance to pain and the wishes of the mother in labor. The review presents the directions of development and the current state of knowledge of modern medicine regarding various anesthesia techniques, their safety for the mother, fetus and newborn, as well as practical tips to increase the satisfaction of the mother in labor.

Abstract

Labor pain is not only an unpleasant mental experience, but one of the most important factors that may negatively affect the course of labor and the well-being of the fetus. Over the years, many techniques for relieving labor pain have been developed, ranging from non-pharmacological (acupuncture, TENS, hypnosis...), through opioids and aeriform anesthetics, to regional analgesia techniques. Numerous studies and meta-analyzes prove that central blockades are the gold standard of labor analgesia and debunk the myths that these blockages are negatively limited to the course of labor. In the light of recent studies, the claim that epidural analgesia increases the risk of termination by caesarean section should be rejected. It has also been proven that central blockades do not lower the child’s APGAR score. Feeling, an indication to use a central block during labor, should be a subjective intolerance to pain and the wishes of the mother in labor. The review presents the directions of development and the current state of knowledge of modern medicine regarding various anesthesia techniques, their safety for the mother, fetus and newborn, as well as practical tips to increase the satisfaction of the mother in labor.

Get Citation

Keywords

partus; vaginal birth; anaesthesia; epidural analgesia

About this article
Title

Anaesthesia of pregnant women

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 92, No 10 (2021)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

735-740

Published online

2021-09-21

Page views

7361

Article views/downloads

1541

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2021.0062

Pubmed

34747002

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2021;92(10):735-740.

Keywords

partus
vaginal birth
anaesthesia
epidural analgesia

Authors

Zaneta Jastrzebska-Stojko
Marcin Sadlocha

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