Prophylactic analgesia for daycase termination of pregnancy. A double-blind study with controlled release dihydrocodeine.

The incidence and severity of pain and nausea experienced by 40 primigravid day patients who presented for vaginal termination of pregnancy were examined. Controlled-release dihydrocodeine had no effect upon the incidence or severity of these minor sequelae. The requirements for escape analgesia and antiemetic therapy were less than anticipated and possible explanations are discussed. The low incidence of significant nausea and vomiting recorded in this study confirms that vaginal termination of pregnancy may be safely performed as day cases.