Non-neuraxial labour analgesia

Abstract

Epidural analgesia is considered the gold standard for labour pain but may not be an option for all parturients due to patient choice or medical contraindication. Non-neuraxial alternatives for labour analgesia have been extensively studied and include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological options. Pharmacological options include the use of opioids and inhalational agents while non-pharmacological options range from non-invasive methods such as continuous labour support to techniques such as sterile water injection. Apart from effective analgesia, such techniques may improve maternal satisfaction. This review summarizes the evidence for available non-neuraxial labour analgesia modalities.

Keywords: hydrotherapy; labour analgesia; nitrous oxide; non-neuraxial; opioids; remifentanil; sterile water injections; virtual reality.