The WFSA Declaration reaffirms the right of every pregnant patient to access pain relief during childbirth.
There are 140 million births per year globally, mostly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where the vast majority of pregnant patients do not have access to labour analgesia. WHO emphasises the necessity of high-quality, respectful maternity care and champions women’s right to a safe and positive experience during pregnancy and childbirth, regardless of the circumstances.
During childbirth, it should be unacceptable for labouring patients to experience untreated severe pain that is amenable to safe interventions. Untreated pain can have serious consequences for both maternal and fetal well-being.
Availability and accessibility of labour analgesia is disproportionately lacking in LMICs. This inequity underscores an urgent need to democratize pain management solutions, ensuring that every pregnant patient, irrespective of their geographical or economic position, has the right to opt for pain relief during labour, if they so desire.
The WFSA acknowledges the essential role of anesthesiologists in providing labour analgesia. This has also been emphasised in the context of the acute pain call for action, which encourages national health planning for effective acute pain management.
Anaesthesiologists’ expertise empowers pregnant patients by offering them choices in managing labour pain and also enhances the safety and security of obstetric patients across the globe.
The WFSA emphasises the right of every pregnant patient to receive analgesia for labour pain upon request.
Read the full Declaration here 👇
(Declaration drafted by the WFSA Obstetric Anaesthesia Committee)
Join Us in Supporting Labour Analgesia Rights
WFSA calls on all healthcare providers, policymakers, professional societies, and global health organisations to endorse and act on this Declaration to ensure that no patient is left to endure unnecessary pain during labour.
