open access

Vol 92, No 9 (2021)
Research paper
Published online: 2021-04-13
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The effect of epidural analgesia on maternal-neonatal outcomes: a retrospective study

Xingxing Liu1, Rong Zeng2, Qifeng Chen3, Di Ke4, Zhaoqiong Zhu1
·
Pubmed: 33914328
·
Ginekol Pol 2021;92(9):637-641.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizho, China
  2. School of Public Health, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
  3. Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
  4. Department of Intervention, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China

open access

Vol 92, No 9 (2021)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Obstetrics
Published online: 2021-04-13

Abstract

Objectives: Epidural analgesia is commonly used for relieving labor pain in contemporary clinical practice. The rate of pregnant women who request epidural analgesia during labor has been increasing annually, leading to a debate on the effect of epidural analgesia on maternal or neonatal outcomes.
Material and methods: The medical records of nulliparous women with a term singleton pregnancy from January to December 2019 at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. The women were divided into those who received epidural analgesia during delivery and those who did not receive it. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed.
Results: A total of 528 women met the inclusion criteria. The overall labor analgesia rate was 43.0% (227). Women with epidural analgesia had a significantly longer second stage [34.5 (22.8–65.3) vs 27.0 (18.0–41.3) min, p < 0.001] and total duration of labor [698.5 (493.5–875.0) vs 489.5 (344.0-676.3) min, p < 0.001] compared with those without epidural. There were no significant relationships between epidural analgesia and the normal vaginal delivery rate, the incidence of episiotomy, and other adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: Epidural analgesia can prolong the second stage of labor, but this is no increased risk for both mother and neonate.

Abstract

Objectives: Epidural analgesia is commonly used for relieving labor pain in contemporary clinical practice. The rate of pregnant women who request epidural analgesia during labor has been increasing annually, leading to a debate on the effect of epidural analgesia on maternal or neonatal outcomes.
Material and methods: The medical records of nulliparous women with a term singleton pregnancy from January to December 2019 at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. The women were divided into those who received epidural analgesia during delivery and those who did not receive it. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed.
Results: A total of 528 women met the inclusion criteria. The overall labor analgesia rate was 43.0% (227). Women with epidural analgesia had a significantly longer second stage [34.5 (22.8–65.3) vs 27.0 (18.0–41.3) min, p < 0.001] and total duration of labor [698.5 (493.5–875.0) vs 489.5 (344.0-676.3) min, p < 0.001] compared with those without epidural. There were no significant relationships between epidural analgesia and the normal vaginal delivery rate, the incidence of episiotomy, and other adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: Epidural analgesia can prolong the second stage of labor, but this is no increased risk for both mother and neonate.

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Keywords

labor epidural analgesia; maternal and neonatal outcome

About this article
Title

The effect of epidural analgesia on maternal-neonatal outcomes: a retrospective study

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 92, No 9 (2021)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

637-641

Published online

2021-04-13

Page views

1465

Article views/downloads

940

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2021.0007

Pubmed

33914328

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2021;92(9):637-641.

Keywords

labor epidural analgesia
maternal and neonatal outcome

Authors

Xingxing Liu
Rong Zeng
Qifeng Chen
Di Ke
Zhaoqiong Zhu

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