Extreme inequity in analgesia and peri‐operative management of pregnant patients.

This article examines the disparities in pain management and surgical outcomes for pregnant patients, specifically focusing on labor analgesia and caesarean section. A study conducted in Scotland found that individuals from more deprived areas were less likely to receive labor epidural analgesia compared to those from less deprived areas. Another study in England found disparities in postoperative outcomes based on ethnicity. The article emphasizes the need to address these inequities in healthcare, taking into account socio-economic deprivation and non-white ethnicity. It also explores the cultural and historical factors influencing the use of epidural analgesia during childbirth. The study highlights the low rates of epidural use and high complication rates in these populations, and calls for improved access to information, culturally sensitive care, and collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers to reduce disparities in maternal care. [Extracted from the article]