Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are the most common medical complication of pregnancy, complicating up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide. They represent a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in pregnancy. The most common of these disorders is gestational hypertension (5–6%). Using population-based data, approximately 1% of pregnancies are complicated by pre-existing hypertension, 5–6% by gestational hypertension without proteinuria, and 1–2% by pre-eclampsia.

The sequelae of shoulder dystocia with persistent brachial plexus injury (BPI) are among the most serious of obstetrical complications. Shoulder dystocia with BPI generally places second or third in the list of the top causes of permanent birth-related neonatal injuries. Apart from the devastating medical and social consequences of lifelong impairment for the family, ensuing litigation with its allegations regarding poor care exacts a heavy toll on the medical profession.

The concept of fetal pain is becoming more and more relevant since the possibilities for invasive intrauterine treatment are increasing. However, there is much debate as to whether the fetus is mature enough to be able to perceive pain. But what is ‘pain’? One cannot determine whether a fetus feels pain unless one has a conception of what pain is. There is a difference in opinion about what pain really is and that is also the difficulty in studies on fetal pain: we cannot simply ask the fetus whether or not it feels pain. We can only give indirect evidence of possible harmful effects of stressful stimuli on the developing fetus. In this review we will first explore the meaning of ‘pain’. We will then discuss fetal anatomic, neurophysiologic and behavioural development and the responses which are thought to be required to experience pain. Finally, we discuss some ethical considerations and suggestions on fetal anaesthesia.

The last century has seen dramatic developments in medical care as technological advances have been applied to both diagnosis and treatment. Some areas of obstetrics have been slow to benefit from these advances – and none more so than the care of the fetus in labour.