Course of Labour With and Without Epidural

Abstract

Aim: To assess the influence of epidural analgesia on course of labour, mode of delivery and fetomaternal outcome. Methods: A comparative study was conducted at obs and gynae department of Ghurki trust teaching hospital, Lahore from Jan 2017-Dec 2017. The study was carried out to determine the effect of epidural analgesia on the outcome of labour. This study was conducted on hundred nulliparous patients with singleton pregnancies who were between 37 to 42 weeks of gestation and were in active phase of labour( 3- 4 cm cervical dilatation ). Maternal demographic variables, labour, mode of delivery and neonatal short term outcomes were studied. Results: A comparative study was done on one hundred nulliparous patients in labour. Patients were divided in to equal groups of 50 each. Group an epidural analgesia was given while in group B other methods of pain relief were used. The rate of caesarean section was same in the two groups whereas the rate of instrumental delivery was increased in the study group .There was no difference in the duration of first stage of labour between the two groups however length of second stage was prolonged in the study group. Conclusion: Properly administered epidural analgesia provides adequate pain relief during labour and delivery, shortens the first stage of labour and avoids adverse effect of narcotics on mother and baby.