The Effect of Epidural Anesthesia on Labor Course.
- Author:
Kyo Hoon PARK
;
Hong Kyoon LEE
;
Hyeok LEE
;
Jeong Hoon HAN
;
Yong Kyoon CHO
;
Hoon CHOI
;
Bok Rin KIM
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epidural anesthesia;
Labor course
- MeSH:
Amnion;
Anesthesia, Epidural*;
Apgar Score;
Birth Weight;
Body Weight;
Female;
Fetus;
Gestational Age;
Humans;
Incidence;
Oxytocin;
Pregnancy;
Pregnancy Outcome;
Pregnant Women
- From:Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
1999;42(11):2525-2530
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of epidural anesthesia on labor course. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 1998, we evaluated pregnant women at term with singleton fetus in vertex presentation and with spontaneous onset of labor at our hospital. Comparison of 120 women (100 cases of primiparous women, 20 cases of multiparous women) who received epidural anesthesia in labor with 120 women (100 cases of primiparous women, 20 cases of multiparous women) who did not receive epidural anesthesia was performed. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were obtained from hospital delivery records and neonatal records. Statistical analysis were performed by Student's t-test and Chi square test. RESULTS: The results of this study were as followings; 1. There was no significant difference in mean age, body weight, height, and gestational age between epidural anesthesia group and control group (P>0.05). 2. The frequency of oxytocin augmentation was significantly greater in the primiparous epidural anesthetic group than in primiparous control group (p<0.05). 3. The effect of epidural anesthesia on the first stage of labor revealed no significant difference in both group. 4. Prolongation of second stage of labor was noticed in nullipara of epidural anesthesia group compared to control group (p<0.05). 5. The incidence of instrumental delivery was significantly increased in the primiparous epidural group than in the primiparous control group(p<0.05). 6. The meconium-stained amnionic fluid, Apgar score and birth weight were similar in both groups. 7. The maternal blood loss was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Epidural anesthesia, significantly prolongs second stage of labor in induced patients. While instrumental delivery was more prevalent in these parturients, C-section rate and intra-partum complications were not increased in these patients.
