Open AccessACOG Committee Opinion No. 339: Analgesia and Cesarean Delivery Rates
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
obstetrics and gynecology (new york. 1953. online)/obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.664
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1873-233X
pISSN - 0029-7844
DOI - 10.1097/00006250-200606000-00060
Subject(s) - medicine , cesarean delivery , obstetrics , gynecology , family medicine , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Neuraxial analgesia techniques are the most effective and least depressant treatments for labor pain. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists previously recommended that practitioners delay initiating epidural analgesia in nulliparous women until the cervical dilatation reached 4-5 cm. However, more recent studies have shown that epidural analgesia does not increase the risks of cesarean delivery. The choice of analgesic technique, agent, and dosage is based on many factors, including patient preference, medical status, and contraindications. The fear of unnecessary cesarean delivery should not influence the method of pain relief that women can choose during labor.