Analgesia in labour: a necessity or a privilege.

Labour pain is a significant concern for women during childbirth, and it can be compared to other highly painful experiences. The lack of awareness and myths surrounding analgesia for pain relief during labour prevent its widespread adoption. Many women opt for caesarean sections due to fear of pain during vaginal birth, highlighting the need for raising awareness and addressing concerns about different types of analgesia. Neuraxial techniques, such as epidural analgesia, are considered the top choice for managing labour pain, as they consistently show lower pain levels for the mother and higher maternal satisfaction. Epidural analgesia does not significantly impact the risk of a caesarean section or immediate neonatal well-being. It is important to prioritize the safety of both the mother and the foetus when selecting the most appropriate pain relief technique. The concept of pain relief during labour should be seen as a component of overall maternal well-being and tailored to each individual's experience. Education and communication between midwives, healthcare workers, and pregnant women are crucial in bridging the gap in knowledge and ensuring informed consent. Traditional practices and medical approaches can be combined to optimize the clinical experience, while steps can be taken to minimize local adverse effects of anaesthesia. Methods such as programmed intermittent epidural bolus and patient-controlled epidural analgesia should be employed for optimal pain relief maintenance. The authors of the article contributed to the conception, design, drafting, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. They declare no conflict [Extracted from the article]