Pain Relief During Childbirth – patient information to assist informed consent

This patient education pamphlet provides treatment information on anaesthesia used during labour and childbirth. The topics discussed include: the different stages of labour, how to prepare for labour, non-medical methods of pain relief, medical methods of pain relief, and pain relief requiring an anaesthetist.

The non-medical methods of pain relief discussed include relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, TENS devices, and acupuncture, among others. The medical methods of pain relief discussed include nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen, and injections of opioids.

This pamphlet can be a useful tool for women considering pain relief that is administered by an anaesthetist, such as epidural anaesthesia and spinal anaesthesia. The advantages of epidural and spinal anaesthesia, the important considerations of treatment, and the possible complications of pain-relief procedures are described in detail. 

Anaesthesia during childbirth is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology patient information leaflets are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.