Summary. Fifty primigravidae were given either lorazepam (2 mg) or identical dummy tablets in early labour, in a randomized double‐blind fashion. Analgesia (standardized at pethidine 100 mg) was given as required, and pain relief was assessed by visual analogue scales. Analgesia was significantly better in those mothers who had received lorazepam. There was a higher incidence of respiratory, depression at birth in the infants in this group, although this was not statistically significant. Patients given lorazepam were all satisfied with their analgesic regimen compared with half of those given an inactive tablet. There was a higher incidence of amnesia for labour in the active group. There is a need for a similar study of the effects of other drugs which arc given to supplement pethidine in labour.