title: A review of opioid-induced itching after cesarean birth.
abstract: Currently, about one-third of all women giving birth have a cesarean surgical birth, and the majority are given an epidural or spinal anesthetic containing an opioid for surgery. An unpleasant side effect experienced by many of these women is itching. This article reviews the literature on itching after spinal and epidural administration of opioids and how nurses can best manage this side effect.
authors.forename: Barbara Hansen
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Cottrell
mesh_terms: D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: cesarean birth; epidural; neuraxial opioids; pruritus; spinal