Effects of epidural labor analgesia on progress of labor and outcomes of labor

Objective:To identfy the effects of epidural labor analgesia on progress of labor,matemal and neonatal outcomes.Methods:To review the data in our hospital about singleton,nulliparous,vertex presentations and term pregnancies with active phase of labor from June 2008 to December 2008.374 cases were divided into two groups according to receiving epidural analgesia.We compared length of labor,oxytocin use,way of delivery,prenatal blood loss and 1min and 5min Apgar scores of infants.Results:Prenatal blood loss,cesarean sections rate,abnormal CST and 1min and 5min Apgar were similar in epidural and non-epidural groups.Length of the active phase of labor was shorter and the second stage of labor was longer in epidura group with statistically significant differences.There were statistically significant differences in the rate of oxytocin use and forceps vaginal delinal deliveries in the patients with epidural analgesia.Conclusion: Epidural labor analgesia mya be associated with slower progress of the second stage of labor and higher instrumental vaginal deliveries,but does not increase the risk sections and adverse effcts on neonatal outcomes.