Effects of Combined Spinal-Epidural Analgesia on Labor

Objective To investigate whether combined spinal-epidural analgesia prolongs labor and increases the risk of cesarean delivery.Methods The data of 1265 cases of normal partutients were taken for retrospective analysis to compare the delivery mode,the indications of cesarean delivery and instrumental delivery,duration of labor,and effects on mothers and fetus between the analgesia and non-analgesia groups.Results There was a significant difference in delivery mode between the analgesia group and the non-analgesia group (P0.01).There were significant deference in the durations of the first stage,second stage and the general stage of labor between the two groups for both natural and artificial labors (P0.05).However there was no significant difference between the two groups in the prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage,puerperaisms,postpartum retention of urine,and neonatal asphyxia (P0.05).Conclusion The combined spinal-epidural analgesia during labor can not reduce the risk of cesarean delivery; and it does not influence the rate of forceps delivery.The analgesia can make the first stage and the second stage of labor prolonged.There is no dangerous for both mother and neonate.