[Remifentanil may in certain cases be used as an alternative to epidural analgesia for parturients].

Epidural analgesia remains the gold standard during labour, but is contraindicated in several clinical settings due to increased risk of serious complications. There are few effective alternatives to epidural analgesia. However, there is an increasing interest for the use of remifentanil as a labour analgesic. In this focused review, we describe the effect, dose and safety of remifentanil for the mother and fetus/neonate. Remifentanil appears to have a potential as labour analgesic. Careful monitoring of the parturient and the newborn is advised.