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Women’s health and midwifery
Role of intrapartum epidural analgesia in severe maternal morbidity: are there benefits beyond pain relief?
  1. Bridget Ferguson1,
  2. Tanya Capper2
  1. 1Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences, CQUniversity Australia, Norman Gardens, Queensland, Australia
  2. 2Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University School of Nursing Midwifery and Paramedicine Brisbane Campus, Banyo, Queensland, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Bridget Ferguson; b.ferguson{at}cqu.edu.au

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2024-104140

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    Commentary on: Kearns, RJ, Kyzayeva, A, Halliday, LO, et al. Epidural analgesia during labour and severe maternal morbidity: population based study. BMJ 2024;385.

    Implications for practice and research

    • Health research, policy and information should emphasise the advantages of intrapartum epidurals beyond pain relief, especially for women with pre-existing conditions and preterm labour.

    • Health services must provide access to a 24-hour epidural service within their maternity care.

    Context

    The use of intrapartum epidurals to manage pain during labour and birth has been globally accepted for decades.1 Kearns et al’s study included all Scottish National Health Service hospitals with birthing units that provide intrapartum care for women between 24 and 42+6 weeks gestation, having either a vaginal or an unplanned caesarean birth.2 Their research highlights the impact of epidural analgesia on 21 indicative conditions identified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that contributes …

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    Footnotes

    • X @Bridgetferguso1

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.