The Effects of the Epidural Anesthesia on the States of the Mother and Newborn in Normal Delivery

Kim, Dong Hee; Ko, Hong; Kwak, Il Yong; Lee, Chul

Abstract

The effects of epidural anesthesia for normal vaginal delivery on maternal cardiovascular system and boood gas analysis, and newborn umbilical arterial blood gas analysis and Apgar scores were studied in 24 paturients. The paturients were divided into two groups by random sampling, and one group underwent epidurial anesthesia and the other did not. Maternal systolie pressure, heart rate and cardiac output were measured at the time of 4 cm of cervical dilation (preanesthetic), 8 cm of cervical dilation, and immediate postpartum. PH, Pco, Po and bicarbonate levels of maternal atrerial blood were measured at the time of 4 cm and 8 cm of cervical dilation. PH, Pco, Po, and bicarbonate levels of newborn umbilical arterial blood were measured immediately after delivery. One minute and 5 minute Apgar scores of newborn were measured. Systolic blood presssures did not change in both groups. In non-epidural group diastolic and mean blood pressures decreased after delivery. In epidural group its slightly increased at the time of 8 cm of cervical dilation and returned to preanesthetic level after delivery. Heart rate and cardiac output also slightly increased at the time of 8 cm of cervical dilatior. and returned to preanesthetic level after delivery. Maternal pH slightly decreased at the time of 8 cm of cervical dilation in epidural group. Pco2 decreased in both groups, but the rate of decrease was smaller in epidural group. Po increased at the time of 8 cm of cervical dilation in epidural group. Bicarbonate ion level did not changed in both groups. Newborn umbilical arterial blood gas analysis and l minute and 5 minute Apgar scores were not different in both group.