Women in labour are set to be offered a new type of patient-controlled pain relief as an alternative to an epidural. The fast-acting opioid called reminfentanil can be offered to those who want ongoing pain relief during labour but do not wish to have an epidural, according to updated draft guidance from the National Institute for health and Care Excellence (Nice).
It said that, as women control the medication themselves, they may be able to be more mobile than they would with an epidural. Meanwhile, the updated draft guidance states that Tens devices are not provided by the NHS but women in labour can use their own if they wish. However, they should be advised “there is very little evidence of its effectiveness in established labour, but no evidence of harm”.
Reminfentanil is delivered through a tube into the bloodstream. A machine containing the drug is connected to this tube and women in labour can self-administer the pain relief as necessary. A timer connected to the machine ensures they cannot take too much.
