Ketamine hydrochloride in low-dose infusion was used as an analgesic drug for 44 mothers who underwent normal vaginal delivery. The mean initial dose required was 30.0 mg (SD 10.5), and the mean maintenance dose given was 22.5 µg/kg/min (SD 8.6). Good analgesia, increased uterine activity and an insignificant decrease in the duration of the second stage of labour were noted. Fetal welfare was unimpaired as judged by the high Apgar score at 1 and 5 min after birth and the excellent neurobehavioural status. The main side effects recorded were a significant increase in arterial blood pressure and pulse rate. Vivid dreams, none of which were unpleasant, were reported by 4 mothers (18%) in the group given ketamine alone as compared to 3 mothers (13.6%) in the control group and 1 mother (4.5%) in the group given ketamine followed by midazolam 5 mg. This study showed that low-dose ketamine infusion during normal vaginal delivery in uncomplicated cases is a satisfactory method of analgesia that is safe for both the mother and the newborn infant.