Effect of continuous epidural labor analgesia on stages of labor and delivery outcomes

Objective To investigate the effect of continuous epidural labor analgesia on stages of labor and delivery outcomes. Methods A total of 360 cases of primipara of single fetus, cephalic presentation, without obstetrical complications, and the ASA grade was Ⅰ-Ⅱ were selected. All cases were divided into analgesia group(n=102) and control group(n=258) according whether using continuous epidural labor analgesia. The time of active phase of labor, the second stage and third stage of labor, and the oxytocin usage, the eutocia rate, the obstetric forceps usage, the cesarean section rate and the neonatal one and five minute apgar scores were observed and compared between the two groups. Results The time of active phase of analgesia group[(170±44)min] was longer than(149±39)min of the control group, the difference was significant(P 0.05). Conclusions The use of continuous epidural labor analgesia can prolong the time of active phase of labor, but reduce the cesarean section rate markedly without harmful impact on neonate. The analgesic method can be used safely and effectively in clinical practice. Key words: Labor analgesia; Cesarean section rate; Apgar score; Stage of labor