Epidural analgesia for patients in labour.

Labour pain is very real to expectant mothers. Untreated it can give rise to hypocarbia, hypoxia and fetal acidosis. Pain relief during labour dates back to Queen Victoria who was given chloroform for the birth of Prince Leopold. Since then many techniques and drugs have been used. Epidural analgesia was introduced in 1942 and since then has been regarded as a very effective method for labour pain relief. This article deals with the technique of epidural catheter insertion as well as discussing some of the common complications that can occur and their management.