Labour pain is one of the most severe pains known to man. Whilst neuraxial analgesia is the gold standard for achieving complete analgesia in labour, many women do not desire such high-tech pain relief. Many women want to be able to ‘cope with the pain of labour’ rather than annihilate the pain completely; for many of these women non-neuraxial techniques will suffice. This article evaluates many of the current non-neuraxial techniques that are employed in labour wards throughout the UK.
Geraldine O’Sullivan MD FRCA is a Consultant Anaesthetist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, where she is lead clinician for obstetric anaesthesia. She is a past president of the Obstetric Anaesthetist’s Association (OAA). Her particular research interests include analgesia in labour and high-risk obstetrics. Conflicts of interest: none declared
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