Anesthesiology ethics

Pain Management During Labor: Part 1—Pathophysiology of Labor Pain and Maternal Evaluation for Labor Analgesia

“…during a prenatal appointment to allow adequate time for questions and review of all options before making an informed decision. 21 Informed consent for epidural analgesia should include benefits to the patient, benefits to the fetus and labor process, risks and adverse effects of epidural, information pertinent to the specific medical condition of the patient, and alternatives to epidural analgesia and other information requested by the patient. 22…”

“…Studies have demonstrated that the pain of labor does not affect the ability of the laboring patient to understand the process. Ideally, the patient should receive written information about the risks and benefits of labor analgesia during a prenatal appointment to allow adequate time for questions and review of all options before making an informed decision 21. Informed consent for epidural analgesia should include benefits to the patient, benefits to the fetus and labor process, risks and adverse effects of epidural, information pertinent to the specific medical condition of the patient, and alternatives to epidural analgesia and other information requested by the patient 22…”

The Pain Narrative

“…during a prenatal appointment to allow adequate time for questions and review of all options before making an informed decision. 21 Informed consent for epidural analgesia should include benefits to the patient, benefits to the fetus and labor process, risks and adverse effects of epidural, information pertinent to the specific medical condition of the patient, and alternatives to epidural analgesia and other information requested by the patient. 22…”

Topics in Pain Management CME/NCPD Quiz

“…during a prenatal appointment to allow adequate time for questions and review of all options before making an informed decision. 21 Informed consent for epidural analgesia should include benefits to the patient, benefits to the fetus and labor process, risks and adverse effects of epidural, information pertinent to the specific medical condition of the patient, and alternatives to epidural analgesia and other information requested by the patient. 22…”