James Young Simpson and the transformation of attitudes to pain in obstetrics
https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2026.749
Abstract
Introducing obstetric anesthesia in the 19th century marked a pivotal stage in the development of medicine, fundamentally transforming the understanding that pain plays in childbirth. The work by James Young Simpson led to the widespread use of chloroform for labor analgesia and demonstrated an opportunity for safe and effective pain control. Simpson’s contributions were of the paramount importance for humanization of obstetric care and emergence of anesthesiology as an independent medical discipline, thereby highlighting a transition from the acceptance of pain to its targeted management.
About the Authors
V. Yu. Sashnina
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Viktoria Yu. Sashnina
8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048
A. S. Russo
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Arkady S. Russo
8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048
N. A. Serdyukova
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Natalia A. Serdyukova
8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048
A. V. Vorobev
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexander V. Vorobev, MD, Dr Sci Med.
Scopus Author ID: 57191966265. WoS ResearcherID: F-8804-2017
8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048
N. A. Makatsariya
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Nataliya A. Makatsariya, MD, PhD.
WoS ResearcherID: F-8406-2017
8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048
References
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Review
For citations:
Sashnina V.Yu., Russo A.S., Serdyukova N.A., Vorobev A.V., Makatsariya N.A. James Young Simpson and the transformation of attitudes to pain in obstetrics. Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction. 2026;20(2):387-391. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2026.749
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