[Neuroleptic analgesia in the management of labor]

Abstract

Neuroleptic analgesia, which is used for the major part of the conduct of labour, has the advantage of abolishing the pain of uterine contractions without altering the mother's state of consciousness. A study of the effects of droperidol together with phenoperidine on the mother and the child has been carried out. Clinical results, the parameters of the intra-uterine pressure curves and the fetal heart rates as well as of the acid base balance and the pO2 of the mother and infant during dilatation of the cervix and the two first hours of life have been monitored. The conclusion is that neuroleptic analgesia does not cause neonatal depression and can be used as a method for conducting labour so long as very strict monitoring conditions are applied.