EPIDURAL ANALGESIA IN LABOUR

MATERNAL AND FETAL OUTCOME

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of epidural analgesia on the pain
relief and maternal and fetal outcome. Study design: Comparative & analytical study. Place and Duration: In Military
Hospital Rawalpindi fromOct 1998 to Oct 1999. Patients and Method: 100 full term healthy primigravida admitted for
induction of labour. Fifty patients were given epidural analgesia and 50 served as control to whom no analgesia was
given. Outcome measures observed were duration of labour, mode of delivery; Apgar score of the newborn; untoward
reaction and intra-partum complications. Results: The data analysis revealed that epidural analgesia significantly
prolonged labour time and was associated with increased instrumental delivery rate. Significant reduction in intra-partum
fetal complications was seen, while C-section rate was not effected by epidural analgesia. Apgar scores were higher
in analgesia group as compared to control. Conclusion: Although accused of prolonging labour time, it’s benefits in
terms of great maternal satisfaction and reduced intra-partum complications still makes it an option for labouring
patients.