The Clinical Outcome of Epidural Analgesia on Labor Progress

Cho, J Y; Kim, K M; Lee, J Y; Kim, H J; Hwang, H R

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of epidural analgesia on labor progress. We studied 340 women at term, with singleton fetus in vertex presentation and with spontaneous onset of labor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Il Shin Christian Hospital during 6 months from June 1, 1997 to November 30, 1997. Comparison of 170 women (100 cases of primiparous women, 70 cases of multiparous women) who received epidural analgesia in labor with 170 women (100 cases of primiparous women, 70 cases of multiparous women) who did not receive epidural analgesia was performed. The results were as follows: 1. The frequency of oxytocin augmentation was significantly greater in the primiparous and multiparous epidural group than in the primiparous and multiparous control group (p<0.05). 2. The duration of the first stage and second stage of labor was significantly delayed in the primiparous and multiparous epidural group than in the primiparous and multiparous control group (p<0.05). 3. The mode of delivery showed no significant difference between epidural group and control group. 4. The meconium-stained amnionic fluid, Apgar score and birth weight were similar in both groups. 5. The maternal blood loss was similar in both groups.