New form of medical pain relief now available for women in labor at multiple hospitals

Women in labor at several Danish hospitals can now access a new form of medical pain relief called remifentanil, a fast-acting opioid that bridges the gap between nitrous oxide and epidural anesthesia.

Nordsjællands Hospital in Hillerød became the first in Denmark to introduce remifentanil in March 2025, and the medication has since been adopted by additional facilities including Regionshospitalet Gødstrup, Rigshospitalet, and Aarhus Universitetshospital. Hvidovre Hospital has no current plans to offer the treatment, according to DR.

Remifentanil provides stronger pain relief than nitrous oxide but is less invasive than an epidural, which can cause numbness in the lower body. The drug is administered via an intravenous pump with a self-controlled dosing button that locks for two minutes between doses to prevent overuse.

Cheflæge Mohammed Rohi El Cheikh Khalil, head of obstetrics and gynecology at Esbjerg and Grindsted Sygehus, said remifentanil fills a long-standing gap in pain management options for laboring women.

— There has always been a large gap between nitrous oxide and epidural anesthesia, and remifentanil is a good supplement, he told DR.

Uddannelsesansvarlig jordemoder Laura Fugmann at Nordsjællands Hospital said many women report better control over their bodies during labor while using remifentanil. She noted that patients describe improved ability to sense contractions and pushing urges without the complete pain relief of an epidural.

— They say they avoid the panic phase of labor. It’s intense, but they don’t reach that point of complete overwhelm, Fugmann said.

Amalie Stoldt, who gave birth at Nordsjællands Hospital in January, said remifentanil provided the rest she needed during the final stage of labor.

— I needed something to give me a brief pause so I could gather my strength and do my best. My body would relax as soon as the medication took effect. When it wore off, I was ready to push again, she said.

Remifentanil acts quickly and leaves the body rapidly, but it must be administered under medical supervision due to potential side effects such as nausea, dizziness, itching, or in rare cases, respiratory issues, Khalil said. He emphasized that the dosing system is designed to ensure safety and prevent misuse.

— The entire treatment and pump system are designed to deliver a safe dose. Misuse is not a concern here, and remifentanil will not be provided to individuals with a history of substance abuse, he said.