A Pharmacotherapeutic Approaches for Managing Labour Pain Using Synthetic Drugs and Natural Therapies


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Abstract

The birth of a child is a critical and potentially traumatic experience for women, entailing multiple physiological and psychosocial changes. The psychological effects of childbirth pain can have both immediate and long-term effects on the mother's health and her bond with her child. Many studies investigated the different ranges of synthetic drugs available for pain control in labour, inclusive of neuraxial analgesics, inhaled analgesics, and various opioids. The inadequate efficacy and unfavourable side effects of these synthetic drugs prevent appropriate pharmacotherapy, resulting in a quest for natural therapies for reducing labour pain. Herbal therapies (aromatherapy) using several essential oils obtained from various natural plants are another alternative that calms and manages the mind and body through aromatic compounds that have neurological and physiological effects. The review discussed the safety profile of various synthetic drugs with their dosage information and also deliberated on the mechanism and safety profile of various natural plants that are used in aromatherapy. The review also briefly highlighted the other non-pharmacological miscellaneous techniques such as TENS, hypnosis, immersion in water, acupuncture, massage, and different other tactics that aim to assist women in coping with pain in labour.

About the authors

Chunxiao Liu

Department of Obstetrics, Dezhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital

Email: info@benthamscience.net

Liyan Pang

Department of Obstetrics, Dezhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital

Email: info@benthamscience.net

Lijuan Wang

Department of Obstetrics, Laoling People’s Hospital

Email: info@benthamscience.net

Lili Zhang

Department of Obstetrics, Laoling People’s Hospital

Email: info@benthamscience.net

Dandan Ma

Department of Obstetrics, Dezhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital

Email: info@benthamscience.net

Jing Chen

Department of Obstetrics, Dezhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital

Email: info@benthamscience.net

Guimei Nie

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologya, Jiuquan City People's Hospital

Author for correspondence.
Email: info@benthamscience.net

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