A midwife gave the woman saline instead of pain relief against her wishes, Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill says. A midwife who gave a pregnant woman in labour saline instead of pain relief may face legal action for her "disgraceful" behaviour. Hill told RNZ the code was law in New Zealand and said the midwife had been referred to the Director of Proceedings who could decide to prosecute. During her pregnancy in 2017, the woman and the midwife discussed pain relief and agreed Mrs B would receive gas (nitrous oxide and oxygen) and pethidine in labour if required. After Ms B left the hospital, the midwife told her she had not given her pethidine to ensure "the safety of the baby".

Source: Stuff June 10, 2019 05:47 UTC