Patient-controlled epidural analgesia for labor pain in primipara

Objective To explore the effects of patient-controlled epidural anesthesia (PCEA) on labor pain,birth process,and newborns.Methods 1200 puerperas were randomly divided into analgesia group and control group (n =600).The analgesia group received PC EA with sufentanil and ropivacaine; the control group re ceived conventional childbirth care.The degree of labor pain,duration of labor process,rate of oxytocin uses,postpartum hemorrhage volumn,rate of Cesarean section,and newborn states were noted.Results The degree of labor painin analgesiagroup(VAS scores were 43.1 ± 112,33.2± 13.7,13.6±6.7,and 10.3±4.1,respectively after analgesia.) was significantly lower than that in the control group (VAS scores were 82.9 ± 18.5,83.7 ± 18.1,and 80.3 ±17.3,respectively after analgesia) (P ＜ 0.05).The active period of first stage of labor (157.7 ± 31.9)min in analgesia group was evidently shorter than that in the control group (P＜ 0.05).Rate of Cesarean section was significantly lower in analgesia group than in the control group(43％ vs.53％,P ＜ 0.05).Rate of oxytocin uses was obviously greater in analgesia group than in control group (61％ vs.31％,P＜ 0.05).Postpartum hemorrhage volumn and Apgar score did not differ significantly between the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions Patient-controlled epidural anesthesia is safe and effective in relieving labor pain.It can meet the needs for maternal analgesia and has no adverse effects on mothers and babies. Key words: Patient-controlled epidural anesthesia;  Labor analgesia