Background The pain that women experience during labour is affected by multiple
physiological and psychosocial factors and its intensity can vary greatly. Most women in …

Background Epidural analgesia is a central nerve block technique achieved by injection of a
local anaesthetic close to the nerves that transmit pain, and is widely used as a form of pain …

Background Many women would like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain
management in labour and this may contribute to the popularity of complementary methods …

Background Many women would like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain
management in labour, and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary …

Background This review is one in a series of Cochrane reviews investigating pain
management for childbirth. These reviews all contribute to an overview of systematic reviews …

Background Enthusiasts suggest that labouring in water and waterbirth increase maternal
relaxation, reduce analgesia requirements and promote a midwifery model of care. Critics …

Optimizing outcomes for women in labor at the global level requires evidence-based
guidance of health workers to improve care through appropriate patient selection and use of …

Background Water immersion during labour and birth is increasingly popular and is
becoming widely accepted across many countries, and particularly in midwifery‐led care …

Background Parenteral opioids (intramuscular and intravenous drugs including patient‐
controlled analgesia) are used for pain relief in labour in many countries throughout the …

Background Many women would like to have a choice in pain relief during labour and also
would like to avoid invasive methods of pain management in labour. Inhaled analgesia …