Birth event—type of anaesthesia administered, code N[N]

The type of anaesthesia administered to a female during a birth event with instrumental or operative delivery, as represented by a code.

CODE 7   Combined spinal-epidural block

The spinal-epidural block combines the benefits of rapid action of a spinal block and the flexibility of an epidural block. An epidural catheter inserted during the technique enables the provision of long-lasting analgesia with the ability to titrate the dose for the desired effect.

CODE 88   Other anaesthesia

May include parenteral opioids and nitrous oxide.

Code 1 (None) has been omitted as it is no longer in use. For information about its meaning in previous data elements, see superseded versions.

More than one permissible value may be recorded.

CODE 7   Combined spinal-epidural block

Combined spinal-epidural block should not be recorded if both Code 4 and Code 5 are also recorded.

Anaesthetic use may affect the health status of the baby and is an indicator of obstetric intervention.

National Perinatal Data Development Committee

See also Birth event—anaesthesia administered indicator, yes/no/not stated/inadequately described code N Health, Standard 03/12/2020

Supersedes Birth event—type of anaesthesia administered, code N[N] Health, Superseded 03/12/2020

Perinatal NMDS 2021–22 Health, Standard 03/12/2020