The early history of labor analgesia: women's strength

Authors

  • Luciano Pereira Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2014.4.18161

Keywords:

ANALGESIA, OBSTECTRICAL, HISTORY OF MEDICINE, EPIDURAL, APGAR SCORE

Abstract

AIMS: Over time, beliefs, religious views and the medical community marked the evolution of labor analgesia. Women, directly or indirectly, were major instigators of this important marker of social equality. The aim of this study is to make a historic revision on the evolution of labor analgesia and to determine the role of the female community on that evolution. METHODS: A review of literature through Pubmed database and research of historical books on the subject. RESULTS: Epidural analgesia is nowadays a safe and effective technique, having evolved significantly over the last hundred years. The initial inhalatory anesthesia / analgesia presented risks to the mother and fetus, but they were the beginning of a long and necessary evolution. This review provides an overview on the advances and retreats of labor analgesia and the role of women in these changes. CONCLUSIONS: The female community had an active and pioneering role in labor analgesia development. Instigators like Queen Victoria or researchers as Virginia Apgar, women are inseparable from this development.

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Published

2014-12-12

How to Cite

Pereira, L. (2014). The early history of labor analgesia: women’s strength. Scientia Medica, 24(4), 420–424. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2014.4.18161

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 4 (2014)

Section

History of Medicine

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