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EDITORIALS: Michel Boulvain and Michel-Ange Morales Analgesia in the second stage of labour BMJ 2006; 333: 108-109 [Full text]

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Analgesia in the second stage of labour

Dr BalMukund Bhala   (3 August 2006)

Analgesia in the second stage of labour 3 August 2006
Dr BalMukund Bhala, Consultant Anaesthetist Wellingborough NN9 5BZ Send response to journal: Re: Analgesia in the second stage of labour	Dear Editor As a pain management consultant I agree that most satisfactory pain management during labour may not always mean complete removal of pain. In paediatric practice EMLA cream works well through the baby skin but its application does not work well in adults. Hence I am rather puzzled about the use of Lidocaine spray on the perineum. Any friendly anaesthetist would have advised that it's more likely to anaesthetise the baby's head than the mother's perinium. I am not surprised by negative results in the study quoted. Some sterile water or commonly used lubricant gelly would probably do a better job without side effects of local anaesthetics! Many thanks and kind regards, Dr BalMukund Bhala MBBS,FFARCSI,MBA,LLM Consultant Anaesthetist, Wellingborough NN9 5BZ. Competing interests: None declared