BACKGROUNDParenteral opioids and sedatives are the most frequently prescribed agents for women in labour in many poor resource settings. These have shown poor pain relief and a lot of side effects in both the mother and the foetus. In patients with severe pre-eclampsia who are already haemodynamically compromised labour pains and delivery can result in haemodynamic instability, which can compromise both the mother and the neonate. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α-2 agonist, which when used in recommended dose in the form of an infusion has several desirable properties like sedation, anxiolysis, sympatholysis, analgesia, decreased anaesthetic requirements, maintains cardiovascular stability and provides a smooth recovery.