Early antenatal information provision on analgesia and anaesthesia for labour and delivery - a regional, trainee-led collaborative service evaluation

National guidance recommends that ‘mothers should be given and encouraged to read information about analgesia for labour and anaesthesia for caesarean section²’, and anaesthetists have a role in this³. We evaluated information provision in the South West Peninsula region and assessed maternal experience and satisfaction to better understand our local patient needs and inform improvement.

References:

1. Brinkler R, Edwards Z, Abid S, et al, the Pan-London Peri-operative Audit and research Network (PLAN). A survey of antenatal and peripartum provision of information on analgesia and anaesthesia. Anaesthesia. 2019;74:1101-1111. doi:10.1111/anae.14745.

2. Bamber J, Kimber-Craig S, Lucas N, Mushambi M, Plaat F. Chapter 9: guidelines for the provision of anaesthesia services for an obstetric population. Guidelines for the provision of anaesthetic services. London: Royal College of Anaesthetists; 2023. Available at https://rcoa.ac.uk/gpas/chapter-9. Accessed January 21, 2025.

3. Yens SM, Hartle AJ, Barker IR, et al. AAGBI: Consent for anaesthesia 2017: Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland. Anaesthesia. 2017;72:93-105. doi:10.1111/anae.13762.