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Neuraxial Analgesia in Obstetrics

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Regional Nerve Blocks in Anesthesia and Pain Therapy

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Abstract

Neuraxial analgesia has been used commonly for pain relief in labor for over 50 years. When compared to other methods of analgesia, it is the most efficacious. This chapter discusses the special challenges presented to the clinician by the pregnant patient. This includes difference in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology as it applies to neuraxial blocks. In addition, the practitioner must consider the direct and indirect effects of drugs on the fetus and newborn. Recent research emphasizes the efficacy of low concentrations of local anesthetic and lipophilic opioids as safe and effective analgesia. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia best matches drug delivery to patient needs.

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  1. Department of Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave Room M5-318, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada

    Stephen Halpern MD, MSc, FRCPC

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Correspondence to Stephen Halpern MD, MSc, FRCPC .

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Halpern, S. (2015). Neuraxial Analgesia in Obstetrics. In: Regional Nerve Blocks in Anesthesia and Pain Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05131-4_42

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05131-4_42

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-05130-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-05131-4

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