Management of Pain in Labor

Abstract

Analgesia should not be withheld from obstetric patients who are unable to accept the concept of childbirth as a “normal physiologic process.” Management of pain in labor must be directed both to maternal comfort and to the infant's well-being. Psychoanalgesia or chemoanalgesia may be employed. An appropriate blending of the two methods is best. Psychoanalgesic technics include emotional support, instruction, suggestion and hypnosis. Chemoanalgesia may take the form of regional or inhalation analgesia or systemic administration of narcotics, barbiturates or tranquilizers.