Epidural analgesia and the course of delivery in term primiparas

OBJECTIVES: Epidural analgesia provides the most effective pain control during labor. Of great concern is its influence on the course of delivery and perinatal complications. DESIGN: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of epidural analgesia on the course of delivery and perinatal outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 609 deliveries among 1334 (323 women with epidural analgesia (53%) and 548 without epidural analgesia (47%)) met the following criteria: primipara, singleton, live pregnancy, > =37 weeks' gestation, cephalic presentation of a fetus, lack of contraindication for vaginal delivery. The incidence of instrumental deliveries and fetal distress, duration of the first, second and third stage of labor, perinatal outcome, perinatal complications and perinatal blood loss and were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of fetal distress during second stage of labor was significantly higher in the epidural group (12.69 vs. 6.99%, P=0.02). The incidence of fetal distress during first stage of labor did not differ in both groups (10.53% vs. 8.74%, NS). Cesarean sections rate was similar in epidural and non-epidural group (17.7 vs. 18.2%, NS). Among vaginal deliveries duration of the first and second stage of labor was longer in epidural group (6.5+/-2.4 vs. 5.4+/-2.5 godz., P=0,000003 and 47.3+/-34.8 vs. 29.1+/-25.8 min., P=0.000003) and this was independent of period of time between onset of first stage of labor and epidural analgesia. Oxitocin use was significantly more frequent in the epidural group (20.6 vs. 10.3%, P<0.004). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of instrumental vaginal deliveries, 1 and 5-minute Apgar scores, length of third stage of labor and perinatal blood loss in patients with and without epidural analgesia. Perinatal outcome did not depend on previous use of epidural analgesia or mode of analgesia for the operation in cesarean section subgroup. CONCLUSION: Epidural labor analgesia is associated with slower progress of labor but has no adverse effect on perinatal outcome and perinatal complications.     

Labor course and delivery in epidural analgesia: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to establish if epidural analgesia is associated with a higher incidence of operative vaginal delivery, longer duration of labor and more frequent use of oxytocin than labor without analgesia. METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of 207 women with no risk factors who delivered with epidural analgesia in the labor unit of Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy, during 2001. Length of the first and second stage of labor, mode of delivery, neonatal cord blood pH, neonatal Apgar score and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Epidural analgesia was performed on request in 6%: in this group (group A) there were 141 (68%) nulliparae and 66 (32%) pluriparae; mean ( +/- standard deviation) gestational age at delivery was 39.4 +/- 1.3 weeks (range: 34.1-41.5 weeks). In this group, 184 (89%) had vaginal delivery and 23 (11%) delivered by Cesarean section. Among controls (group B), 368 (89%) had a vaginal delivery and 46 (11%) delivered by Cesarean section; vacuum extraction was used in 18 deliveries (9%) in group A and in 13 deliveries (3%) in group B. The duration of the second stage of spontaneous labor in the nulliparae of group A was significantly longer than in group B. No statistically significant differences were found between mean umbilical artery pH values of groups A and B. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that epidural analgesia does not affect the rate of Cesarean delivery, while increasing the use of oxytocin augmentation, the duration of the second stage of labor and the rate of instrumental vaginal delivery.     

Benefits of continuous infusion epidural analgesia throughout vaginal delivery

Two groups of nulliparous women with fetuses in singleton vertex presentation received continuous infusion epidural analgesia (EDA) with bupivacaine: group A (90 parturients) without infusion analgesia in the second stage of labor and group B (90 parturients) with infusion analgesia throughout delivery. The groups were compared regarding pain relief, duration of the second stage, persistent malrotation of the fetal head, and rate of instrumental vaginal delivery. The continuous infusion EDA gave satisfactory pain relief in 93.3% of the parturients in group A and 97.8% in group B. The duration of second stage was the same in both groups. There were more persistent malrotations of the fetal head in group A, but the malrotation did not affect the mode of delivery. The rate of instrumental vaginal delivery was 25.5% in both groups. The main cause of operative intervention was delay in the second stage. When the continuous infusion technique is used, it seems unreasonable to discontinue the EDA and thereby deprive the parturient of analgesia during the second stage.     

阴道分娩97例初产妇产后尿潴留危险因素临床分析

目的：探讨经阴道分娩产后尿潴留（postpartum urinary retention,PUR）的危险因素,为降低PUR发生率、减少产后并发症提供理论依据。方法：选择天津医科大学宝坻临床学院（我院）2016年1-12月经阴道分娩PUR患者97例为观察组[A组,其中分娩镇痛者83例（A1组）,无分娩镇痛者14例（A2组）],随机选择同期经阴道分娩无尿潴留者88例为对照组[B组,其中分娩镇痛者59例（B1组）,无分娩镇痛者29例（B2组）]。记录2组患者一般信息、妊娠期合并症及妊娠期并发症、产时情况、产后出血情况及新生儿体质量,进行回顾性分析。结果：2组产妇妊娠期合并症及并发症、孕次、胎膜早破、枕左前（LOA）胎位、第三产程时间和新生儿体质量比较,差异无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。孕周、分娩镇痛、产钳助娩、侧切、第一产程时间、第二产程时间和产后出血比较,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。发生PUR的危险因素有孕周增大（OR=1.619,95%CI：1.121～2.339）、产钳助娩（OR=4.981,95%CI：2.184～11.361）、产后出血（OR=3.429,95%CI：1.024～11.488）和侧切（OR=2.419,95%CI：1.058～5.531）。PUR危险因素的ROC曲线分析：年龄最佳临界值为26.50岁,孕周最佳临界值为40.36周,新生儿体质量最佳临界值为3 372.50 g,分娩镇痛第一产程最佳临界值为402.50 min,分娩镇痛第二产程最佳临界值为61.50 min,无分娩镇痛第一产程最佳临界值为230.00 min,无分娩镇痛第二产程最佳临界值为34.50 min。结论：对孕周、分娩镇痛、产钳助娩、侧切、第一产程时间、第二产程时间、产后出血诸因素适当干预,可减少PUR的发生。     

Traumatic stress after childbirth: the role of obstetric variables

In a sample of 1550 recently delivered women, traumatic stress after childbirth was studied in relation to obstetric variables. A post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom profile and traumatic stress symptoms were assessed by means of the Traumatic Event Scale (TES). Obstetric data comprised delivery mode, duration of the second stage of labor (the time from cervical dilation of 10 cm to partus) and the use of analgesia/anesthesia. Traumatic stress symptoms and having a PTSD symptom profile were both significantly related to the experience of an emergency cesarean section or an instrumental vaginal delivery. It is of clinical importance, however, that most women with a PTSD symptom profile were found in the normal vaginal delivery group (NVD). This implies that a normal vaginal delivery can be experienced as traumatic, just as an emergency cesarian section is not necessarily traumatic. Traumatic stress symptoms were neither substantially correlated to the duration of the second stage of labor, nor to the use of analgesia/anesthesia.     

椎管内分娩镇痛对瘢痕子宫阴道分娩的影响

目的 探讨实施椎管内分娩镇痛对瘢痕子宫阴道分娩产程以及母儿结局的影响.方法 回顾性分析2017年1月至2020年6月在我院定期产检并住院分娩的221例瘢痕子宫患者的临床资料,其中行椎管内分娩镇痛110例,未行椎管内分娩镇痛111例.统计研究对象的一般情况,比较椎管内分娩镇痛对瘢痕子宫阴道分娩的产程及母儿结局影响.结果 ...     

Epidural analgesia in association with duration of labor and mode of delivery: a quantitative review

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to quantitatively summarize previous literature on the effects of epidural analgesia in labor on the duration of labor and mode of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Original studies published in English from 1965 through December 1997 were reviewed and assigned a quality score independently by 2 of the authors. Studies that met the minimal requirements were evaluated further. Data syntheses were performed separately according to study design and outcome measurements, including cesarean delivery, instrumental delivery, oxytocin augmentation, and durations of the first and second stages of labor. RESULTS: Seven randomized clinical trials and 5 observational studies met the minimal requirements. Among them 4 studies of each sort were included in the data synthesis. Both types of studies showed that epidural analgesia increased risk of oxytocin augmentation 2-fold. Clinical trials suggested that epidural analgesia did not increase the risk of cesarean delivery either overall or for dystocia, nor did it significantly increase the risk of instrumental vaginal delivery; however, observational studies reported a more than 4-fold increased risk of cesarean and instrumental deliveries. Although most studies showed a longer labor among women with epidural analgesia than without it, especially during the second stage, most of the studies used inappropriate statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: Epidural analgesia with low-dose bupivacaine may increase the risk of oxytocin augmentation but not that of cesarean delivery.     

蛛网膜下腔-硬膜外联合阻滞麻醉用于分娩镇痛206例分析

目的　探讨分娩镇痛的效果及对产程、母婴状况的影响。方法　采用蛛网膜下腔 -硬膜外联合阻滞(CSEA)用于分娩镇痛的产妇 2 0 6例作为观察组 ,将未采用任何分娩镇痛药物而进入产程的产妇 2 0 6例作为对照组 ,分别观察产程时间、分娩方式、产后出血、胎儿窘迫及新生儿窒息情况。结果　两组产程活跃期比较 ,有极显著性差异 (P <0 0 1) ;两组分娩方式比较有显著性差异 (P <0 0 5 ) ;两组胎儿窘迫、新生儿窒息及产后出血发生率比较 ,无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　CSEA用于分娩镇痛 ,疼痛阻滞完善 ,加速了产程活跃期及第二产程的进展 ,降低了剖宫产及阴道难产率 ,对母婴均无不良影响     

Effect of epidural analgesia on operative vaginal birth rate

The aim of the study was to investigate if epidural analgesia may affect the operative vaginal birth rate. An observational study was carried out on 1,158 in low-risk patients who delivered vaginally; 46.9% of these patients underwent epidural analgesia using different doses and drugs. Overall, epidural analgesia enhanced the probability of vacuum delivery (OR 2.70 95% CI 1.88-3.89, p < 0.001). Vacuum application was increased about seven times by administration of fentanyl alone at the first dose, while it was reduced if ropivacaine was added to fentanyl. In patients undergoing epidural analgesia, increasing the amount of ropivacaine at the first dose reduced the probability of vacuum delivery (OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.67-1.00, p = 0.05). Moreover, increasing the number of top-ups reduced the probability of vacuum delivery (OR 0.49 95% CI 0.27-0.93, p = 0.029) and the time of the second stage of labor. On the other hand, increasing time from the first dose of epidural to the last top-up increased the risk of operative vaginal delivery (OR 1.33 95% CI 1.03-1.72, p = 0.031) and the time of the second stage of labor. Epidural analgesia seems to favor spontaneous delivery when it is properly carried on.     

Epidural analgesia need not increase operative delivery rates

OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the relationship between epidural analgesia and cesarean and instrumental vaginal delivery rates. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of the first 1000 nulliparous pregnancies in women with a cephalic presentation in spontaneous labor at term in each of 3 different years, over which the epidural rate increased from 10% to 57%. RESULTS: Cesarean and instrumental vaginal delivery rates were similar in all 3 years. Demographic characteristics remained unchanged or altered in a manner that has previously been associated with an increase in intervention. Electronic fetal monitoring and first-stage oxytocin use remained unchanged, but oxytocin use in the second stage increased considerably. CONCLUSIONS: Increased use of epidural analgesia had no effect on cesarean delivery rates. Although randomized trials have suggested that it increases instrumental vaginal delivery rates, this might be overcome by active management of labor or judicious use of oxytocin in the second stage.     

Does epidural analgesia prolong labor and increase risk of cesarean delivery? A natural experiment

OBJECTIVE: More than 50% of pregnant women in the United States are using epidural analgesia for labor pain. However, whether epidural analgesia prolongs labor and increases the risk of cesarean delivery remains controversial. STUDY DESIGN: We examined this question in a community-based, tertiary military medical center where the rate of continuous epidural analgesia in labor increased from 1% to 84% in a 1-year period while other conditions remained unchanged-a natural experiment. We systematically selected 507 and 581 singleton, nulliparous, term pregnancies with spontaneous onset of labor and vertex presentation from the respective times before and after the times that epidural analgesia was available on request during labor. We compared duration of labor, rate of cesarean delivery, instrumental delivery, and oxytocin use between these two groups. RESULTS: Despite a rapid and dramatic increase in epidural analgesia during labor (from 1% to 84% in 1 year), rates of cesarean delivery overall and for dystocia remained the same (for overall cesarean delivery: adjusted relative risk, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-1.2; for dystocia: adjusted relative risk, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.6). Overall instrumental delivery did not increase (adjusted relative risk, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-1.4), nor did the duration of the first stage and the active phase of labor (multivariate analysis; P >.1). However, the second stage of labor was significantly longer by about 25 minutes (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Epidural analgesia during labor does not increase the risk of cesarean delivery, nor does it necessarily increase oxytocin use or instrumental delivery caused by dystocia. The duration of the active phase of labor appears unchanged, but the second stage of labor is likely prolonged. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:128-34).     

Does epidural anesthesia affect the course of labor and delivery?

The progress of labor ideally leads to a normal, spontaneous, vaginal delivery. Many factors--maternal, fetal, obstetrical and anesthetic--may collectively contribute to delaying or precluding an ideal outcome. Adverse outcomes of labor and delivery must be clearly defined in terms of maternal, fetal, or neonatal morbidity or mortality, and should be distinguished from abnormal data (such as fetal heart rate, duration of labor, and incidence of low forceps deliveries) that are only indirectly related to outcome. Epidural anesthesia is not a singular phenomenon. Variations and subtle nuances in the administration of epidural anesthesia create a vast array of potential anesthetic regimens. To discover the anesthetic methods that provide excellent analgesia with no adverse effects on the course of labor is an ideal goal that has not yet been achieved. To approach this goal, the answers to several questions are needed. Are study patient groups adequately matched for risk factors? Are obstetrical practices well-defined with respect to elective versus indicated use of instrumental or cesarean delivery methods? Do the risks of instrumental delivery outweigh the benefit of perineal analgesia associated with epidural anesthesia? Is it possible to provide optimal analgesia throughout stage two labor without tending to increase the risk of instrumental delivery? Can delayed pushing during stage two labor increase the probability of spontaneous vaginal delivery with continuous epidural anesthesia? Well-controlled clinical trials and refinements in both anesthetic and obstetric techniques are necessary to resolve such issues so that every parturient (and fetus) may undergo a safe and painless delivery.     

Plasma oxytocin in human pregnancy and parturition

Oxytocin concentrations were determined in serial peripheral plasma samples collected from clinically normal women during pregnancy and labor. Measurable concentrations of this hormone were detected in all maternal plasma samples during pregnancy, but there were wide differences in values between patients. Serial samples from individual patients revealed a pattern of gradual rise of oxytocin levels with advancing gestation and the increase in concentration was statistically significant. There were no significant differences in oxytocin levels at any stage of labor, with or without epidural analgesia. Oxytocin levels at the onset of the second stage did not differ statistically from those at crowning. Comparison of cross-sectional data showed no significant difference between the mean oxytocin concentration in early labor and in late pregnancy. Oxytocin surges occurred, but not in a regular pattern. Plasma oxytocin concentration did not increase after pelvic examination, sweeping of the membranes, low amniotomy or after cervical vibration. After spontaneous vaginal delivery, umbilical arterial plasma levels of oxytocin were consistently higher than plasma concentrations from the umbilical vein. The fetal arterio-venous difference was less pronounced at elective cesarean section. At spontaneous vaginal delivery, with and without epidural anesthesia, plasma levels from the umbilical artery were significantly higher than the maternal levels. After vaginal delivery, oxytocin levels in cord plasma were significantly higher than at elective abdominal delivery. Some methodological aspects with regard to blood sampling and to plasma oxytocin radioimmunoassay procedures are discussed. From the results presented it is concluded that the human fetus can be an important source of oxytocin and that neurohumoral birth reflexes described in animals do not occur systematically in man.     

Neuraxial analgesia versus intravenous remifentanil for pain relief in early labor in nulliparous women

Objective

To assess if there is a difference in duration of labor, the mode of delivery, average Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, maternal overall satisfaction with analgesia, side effects and neonatal outcomes in nulliparous women who received early labor analgesia with either epidural, patient-controlled IV analgesia (PCIA) with remifentanil or combined spinal–epidural (CSE) techniques.

Study design

This is a prospective randomized interventional study.

Subjects and methods

The study included 1,140 healthy nulliparous women (with term, singleton pregnancies) early in labor, requesting labor analgesia, during the period from September 2009 to August 2011 at TAIBA Hospital in Kuwait. The participants were randomized to receive either epidural analgesia (Group I), or PCIA with remifentanil (Group II) or CSE analgesia (Group III). The primary outcome was the rate of cesarean delivery.

Results

CSE analgesia was associated with a statistically highly significant decrease in labor duration (from analgesia to vaginal delivery), duration of latent and active phases of the first stage, and duration of the second stage of labor, average VAS pain scores, and a highest maternal overall satisfaction score with analgesia (P?<?0.01) as compared to epidural analgesia or PCIA with remifentanil.

Conclusion

In terms of labor duration, average VAS pain scores, and maternal overall satisfaction score with analgesia, CSE analgesia is superior to that provided by epidural analgesia or PCIA with remifentanil for pain relief in early labor in nulliparous women. However, there were no differences in the mode of delivery, side effects or neonatal outcomes between the three techniques.     

Use of lubricant gel to shorten the second stage of labor during vaginal delivery

Abstract

Background: Vaginal application of lubricant during labor has been studied to shorten the length of the second stage of labor.

Objective: To evaluate whether vaginal application of lubricant shortens the second stage of labor.

Data sources: Electronic databases were searched from their inception until February 2018. No restrictions for language or geographic location were applied.

Study eligibility criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the use of lubricant of the vaginal canal (i.e. intervention group) with a control group (i.e. no lubricant) in pregnant women with singleton gestation and cephalic presentation undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery at term. Trials on other interventions that might impact second stage of labor (pushing methods, perineal massage, Ritgen’s maneuver, etc.) were not included.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods: All analyses were done using an intention-to-treat approach. The primary outcome was the length of the second stage of labor. Pooled analysis was performed using the random-effects model of DerSimonian and Laird to produce summary treatment effects in terms of mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Tabulation, integration, and results: Three RCTs including 512 women evaluating the effect of lubricant application during labor were included in the meta-analysis. All trials included pregnant women with singleton gestations in cephalic presentation at term undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery. One trial included only nulliparous women, while the other two included both nulliparous and multiparous women. Lubricant application started in the first stage before the active phase of labor, and was done intermittently by the midwife or the physician. A sterile gel was applied into the vaginal canal manually or with an applicator. All trials used water-soluble gel. The quantity of gel used was about 2–5?ml for each vaginal examination. There were no statistically significant differences, comparing women who received lubricant gel during labor with those who did not, in the lengths of second stage of labor (MD ?7.11?min, 95% CI ?15.60 to 1.38), of the first stage of labor, or of the active phase of the first stage of labor. No between-group differences were noticed in the risk of perineal lacerations, mode of delivery, and in the neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion: Vaginal application of lubricant during labor does not reduce the length of the second stage of labor in pregnant women with singleton gestations undergoing an attempt at spontaneous vaginal delivery at term.     

Epidural analgesia: effects on labor progress and maternal and neonatal outcome

The intended and unintended effects of epidural labor analgesia are reviewed. Mothers randomized to epidural rather than parenteral opioid analgesia have better pain relief. Fetal oxygenation is not affected by analgesic method; however, neonates whose mothers received intravenous or intramuscular opioids rather than epidural analgesia require more naloxone and have lower Apgar scores. Epidural analgesia does not affect the rates of cesarean delivery, obstetrically indicated instrumented vaginal delivery, neonatal sepsis, or new-onset back pain. Epidural analgesia is associated with longer second labor stages, more frequent oxytocin augmentation, and maternal fever (particularly among women who shiver and women receiving epidural analgesia for > 5 hours) but not with longer first labor stages. Epidural analgesia has no affect but intrapartum opioids decrease lactation success. Epidural use and urinary incontinence are weakly, but probably not causally, associated. Epidural labor analgesia would improve if the mechanisms of these unintended effects could be determined.     

Epidural analgesia and fetal head malposition at vaginal delivery

OBJECTIVE: To determine if nulliparas who delivered with on-demand epidural analgesia are more likely to have malpositioning of the fetal vertex at delivery than women delivered during a period of restricted epidural use. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of nulliparous women with spontaneous labor delivered during a 12-month period immediately before the availability of on-demand labor epidural analgesia was compared with a similar group of nulliparas delivered after labor epidural analgesia was available on request. The primary outcome variable was a non-occiput anterior position or malpositioned fetal head at vaginal delivery. RESULTS: The frequency of epidural use increased from 0.9% before epidural analgesia became available on demand to 82.9% afterward. Fetal head malpositioning at vaginal delivery occurred in 26 of 434 (6.0%) women delivered in the before period compared with 29 of 511 (5.7%) in the after period (relative risk 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.6, 1.6). No statistically significant difference in the incidence of fetal head malpositioning was present after patients were stratified by mode of delivery (Mantel-Haenszel weighted relative risk 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.6, 1.4). The study sample size provided 85% power to detect a two-fold increase in the incidence of fetal malpositioning from a baseline rate of 6% associated with on-demand epidural use. CONCLUSION: Providing on-request labor epidural analgesia to nulliparas in spontaneous labor did not result in a clinically significant increase in the frequency of fetal head malpositioning at vaginal delivery.     

Management of the second stage of labor in nulliparas with continuous epidural analgesia

OBJECTIVE: To determine if waiting for a strong urge to push in nulliparas with continuous low-concentration epidural analgesia shortens the pushing duration in the second stage. METHODS: Nulliparas with standardized patient-controlled epidural analgesia (0.0625% bupivacaine with fentanyl 2 microg/mL) were randomly assigned to pushing immediately upon complete cervical dilatation (n = 85) or waiting for a strong urge to push (n = 117). Urge to push and patient satisfaction were quantified on 100-mm visual analogue scales. Duration of pushing and total duration of the second stage were analyzed as survival time data. RESULTS: Women who delayed pushing and those who pushed immediately were similar with respect to maternal characteristics. Women who delayed pushing had a stronger urge to push (P <.01) and a longer second stage (P <.05) than women who pushed immediately. There was no significant difference in the time spent pushing (median 57 versus 62 minutes, respectively) or the median level of patient satisfaction (80 mm for both groups). There were no significant differences in the overall rates of cesarean delivery (6% versus 12%, respectively), cesarean delivery during the second stage (2% in each group), spontaneous vaginal delivery (70% versus 69%, respectively), or neonatal or maternal morbidity. CONCLUSION: In nulliparas with continuous low-concentration epidural analgesia, delaying pushing until a strong urge is felt does not reduce the duration of pushing in the second stage of labor.     

Vaginal versus ultrasound examination of fetal occiput position during the second stage of labor

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether ultrasonography is more accurate than vaginal examination in the determination of fetal occiput position in the second stage of labor. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-eight patients in the second stage of labor were evaluated by vaginal examination and by combined transabdominal and transperineal ultrasound examination to determine occiput position. These predictions of position were compared with the actual delivery position at vaginal delivery after spontaneous restitution or at cesarean delivery. Different examiners performed the vaginal examinations and the ultrasound examinations. Each examiner was blinded to the determination of the other examiner. RESULTS: Vaginal examination determined fetal occiput position correctly 71.6% of the time; ultrasound examination determined fetal occiput position correctly 92.0% of the time (P=.018). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound examination is more accurate than vaginal examination in the diagnosis of fetal occiput position in the second stage of labor.