Pain Relief in Labor: A Long and Winding Road

“In sorrow thou shalt bring forth
children” –Genesis 3:16
• Simpson argued persuasively that
“sorrow” was improperly translated.
It was more properly “labor”, “toil”,
or “physical exertion”.
• Noted that God had permitted Adam
to sleep when the rib was harvested
to create women. Thus, clearly
anesthesia was divinely acceptable.
Medical Opposition:
Dr. Charles Meigs
• American obstetrician of equal stature to
Simpson.
• Prominent New England family.
Descendents of Revolutionary War heroes,
first governor of Ohio, and founder of the
University of Georgia
• “uterine pain is inseparable from
contractions. Any pain relief diminishes
contractions.”
• “Pregnancy and labor are normal, and
should not be interfered with powerful
prescriptive drugs.”
Meigs vs. Simpson
• Simpson” “All pain
is without
physiologic value.
It often degrades
or destroys those
who experience it.”
• “it will be
necessary to define
the precise effect
of ether on uterine
muscles.”
1853: John Snow and Queen
Victoria
Snow and the London Cholera
Epidemic: The Broad Street
Pumphouse
John Snow
• Compatriot of James Simpson
• Best know as the physician who solved the
London Cholera epidemic
• Clinical and research interest in
anesthesia, particularly chloroform.
• 4000 anesthetics from 1847-53, with only
one death.
• Secretly called to Buckingham Palace by
Queen Victoria for her delivery of Prince
Leopold
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