The effects of epidural labor analgesia on progress of labor and outcomes of labor

Objective To identify the effects of epidural labor analgesia on progress of labor,maternal and neonatal outcomes.Methods Data of pregnant women in our hospital about singleton,nulliparous,vertex presentations and term pregnancies with active phase of labor pregnancies from June 2008 to December 2008 was analysed retrospectively.374 cases were divided into two groups according to receive epidural analgesia or not,187 cases in analgesion group and 187 cases in control group.Length of labor,oxytocin use,way of delivery,prenatal blood loss and 1 and 5-minute Apgar scores of infants were compared.Results Prenatal blood loss,cesarean sections rate,abnormality of fetal heart rate and 1 and 5-minute Apgar scores of infants were similar in analgesia and control group(Р>0.05).Length of the active phase of labor was shorter and the second stage of labor was longer in epidural group,the differences were statistically significant between the two groups(Р<0.05).The rates of oxytocin use and forceps vaginal delivery were higher in analgesia group than those in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Epidural labor analgesia may be associated with slower progress of the second stage of labor and higher instrumental vaginal deliveries,but does not increase the risk cesarean sections and adverse effects on neonatal outcomes.