Epidural analgesia and labor

Whilst women vary in their needs and desire for analgesia in labor it must be acknowledged that neuraxial analgesia is the only technique that can completely relieve the pain of labor. However the technique is not without its own inherent complications, both for the mother and for the process of labor and delivery. In this article the techniques for establishing and maintaining neuraxial analgesia in labor are discussed and the advantages and disadvantages of neuraxial analgesia in labor are explored.