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Article: Use of pain relief in childbirth grows though debate continues.(Family Times)(Science & Health)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- April 9, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Anesthesia has been in use for more than 150 years, and debate still rages over whether it should be used to ease labor pain. About 60 percent of American women receive some kind of pain relief during vaginal delivery. It's usually an epidural, a local anesthetic injected into the spinal area. A thin tube is inserted so medication can be given as needed.
However, many other women facing childbirth "refuse anesthesia outright because they feel pain is part of the birth experience" or for other reasons, such as religious or safety concerns or because of "problems of service availability in small towns" or rural areas, says Dr. Donald Caton, a professor of ...