A Randomised Controlled Trial of Remifentanil Intravenous Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) Versus Intramuscular Pethidine for Pain Relief in Labour

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2016-09-01

Summary

Childbirth can be an extremely painful and the provision of pain relief during labour is a vital component of a positive maternal experience. The majority of women who deliver in modern obstetric units choose a pharmacological method of pain relief, including Entonox, the injection of opioids or epidural placement. The commonest opioid used in labour is pethidine administered by intramuscular (im) injection. The effectiveness of pain relief provided by pethidine has long been challenged. Its shortcomings are more serious when set against known side effects including maternal sedation, nausea and potential transfer across the placenta to the foetus. More than a third of women who receive pethidine subsequently require an epidural due to inadequate pain relief. Epidurals provide highly effective pain relief, but increase the risk of a forceps or suction delivery resulting in prolonged hospital stay. Therefore, there is a clear need for a safe, effective, easy to administer analgesic alternative.

• Phase: Phase 4

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Dr Matthew Joseph Anthony Wilson; University of Birmingham
• Collaborators: Birmingham Women's NHS Foundation Trust; Bradford Royal Infirmary; City Hospital Birmingham; Clinical Research and Trials Unit (Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, UK); Frimley Park Hospital; Good Hope Hospital; Heartlands Hospital; Homerton University Hospital; Medway Maritime Hospital; Northwick Park Hospital; Stoke Mandeville Hospital; University Hospital Coventry; University Hospital of North Midlands; University of Birmingham; Warwick Hospital; York Hospital
• Treatments: Meperidine; Remifentanil