ANAESTHETICS IN CHILDBIRTH

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29377, 2 December 1960, Page 2

ANAESTHETICS IN CHILDBIRTH

Prohibition On Use By Nurses (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 1. Contrary to recent statements midwives and maternity nurses did not wish to give and, by law, could not give anaesthetics to mothers in labour, except by the express direction of a medical practitioner in each individual case, said Dr. H. B. Turbott, the Director-General of Health, today. The modern method of giving pain relief in childbirth had for many years, been described as inhalational analgesia by the Central Midwives’ Board for England and Scotland, said Dr. Turbott. To avoid confusion, it was intended to adopt a similar terminology in New Zealand, as there was a possibility that some misunderstanding could arise from the ruling that registered midwives and maternity nurses may only give inhalation anaesthetics “to an obstetrical degree.” Dr. Turbott added that the subject was still being considered by various interested authorities. “In the meantime, the public can be assured that, for practical purposes, midwives and maternity nurses are not giving anaesthetics, but are merely providing relief from pain,” said Dr. Turbott. They are not rtained to give anaesthetics and they do not want to do so. Even the extent to which they can administer analgesics to give relief from pain is in the hands of the patient’s doctor, as. indeed, it must always be,” he said.