Epidural analgesia in labor in relation to the rate of instrumental deliveries

Abstract

Aims & Objectives: To study the effect of epidural analgesia (EA) in labour on the rate of instrumental deliveries Study Design: Clinical Trial / Case Control study. Study Settings: Labour ward of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore during one year period from July 2002 to June 2003. Patients and Methods: One hundred women in labor at term were divided into two equal groups. Group-I comprised of those women who were provided with epidural analgesia while group-II consisted of those women who had labour without the block. The anesthetist provided epidural analgesia using 0.125% bupivacaine and the obstetrician or midwife gave intermittent top-ups. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were the effect of epidural analgesia on the duration of second stage of labor and the rate of instrumental deliveries. The data was collected on a pre-designed proforma and was analyzed on computer software (SPSS). Ratio and proportions were calculated and Chi-square test was used to check significant association between the groups. P<.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Gestational age, gravidity, duration of first stage of labour, and fetal outcome were comparable between the two groups. There was prolongation of second stage of labour (P < 0.05). 30% of the parturient in the group with epidural analgesia had second stage of <1 hour while there were 84 % of women in the control group who had second stage of <1 hour. 66% of the women in group I (EA) had duration of second stage of 1-2hours while in group-II 16% of women delivered in the same period. 4% of the women in the study group had second stage of >2hours while there was none (0.0%) who took >2hours in the control group. There was an increased rate of instrumental deliveries in patients with epidural analgesia (P<0.05). 40% of women had instrumental deliveries in the study group as compared to 10 % in the control group. Patient satisfaction was excellent among parturient given EA, 94 % of the parturient being very satisfied. Conclusion: Epidural analgesia along with an experienced anesthetist, a dedicated obstetrician and a trained midwife can convert the painful labour into a less stressful event. Although it prolongs the second stage of labour and increases the rate of instrumental deliveries yet its advantages of pain free labour, better psychological outcome and no significant complications outweigh these drawbacks.