The article discusses claims made by Kristin Indreeide and Anja Solberg, associated with Frifødselsnettverket, regarding the effects of pain relief during childbirth on newborns' respiratory needs. They suggested that pain relief leads to newborns requiring acute respiratory assistance, but the authors are not health professionals and are accused of promoting inaccurate medical claims based on outdated references. The article also highlights that long-acting opioids can cause respiratory problems but have been outdated in practice, and modern pain relief methods like epidurals do not negatively affect newborns' respiratory functions.

Furthermore, the article counters the notion that pain relief will lead to severe complications in newborns. It emphasizes that the most common cause of respiratory distress in newborns is actually related to poor circulation through the umbilical cord, which results in oxygen deprivation, not the administration of pain relief drugs. The claim that effective emergency measures will not be available during free births is also discussed, as the time frame for necessitating such actions may pose a threat to newborns' wellbeing.

In conclusion, the article asserts that misinformation regarding pain relief during childbirth could mislead expectant parents and impact their choices about childbirth. It reinforces the need for accurate information and updated medical guidance to ensure safe practices during delivery, insisting that health personnel should clarify these issues to prevent the spread of false claims.