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The Use of Haloperidol as a Sedative During Childbirth: An Extreme Form of Obstetric Violence in Spain

Ibone Olza1, Oscar Quintela2, Araceli García-Martínez1

  • 1European Institute of Perinatal Mental Health, Association El Parto es Nuestro (Birth is Ours), 11406 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|January 25, 2025
PubMed

Obstetric violence during pregnancy and childbirth is unfortunately a major problem throughout the world. Neuroleptanalgesia is a classic form of analgesia which consists in administering analgesics and neuroleptics, such as haloperidol, simultaneously. Haloperidol is still occasionally used during childbirth and, in most cases, without informed consent in Spain. It is used with the excuse of being an antiemetic, but the reality is that it is a form of obstetric violence called chemical submission. The combination of haloperidol with opioids leads to a potentiation of the sedative effects of both drugs, which may lead to multiplied risks for both mother and baby. At present, the use of haloperidol during childbirth is a practice exclusive to Spain. In fact, the association El Parto es Nuestro (Birth Is Ours) launched an awareness campaign in February 2021 aimed at eradicating the use of haloperidol during childbirth without informed consent. The present essay aims to bring awareness about the ongoing practice of using haloperidol. It is of great importance to eradicate this practice that is so harmful to mothers and their babies, as well as educate health personnel regarding this situation.

Keywords:
chemical submissionhaloperidolhealth policyinterventionsmaternalobstetric violencepregnancyreproductive rights

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