Effects of epidural analgesia during labor on pelvic floor function after vaginal delivery

BACKGROUND: Aims of this study were to determine the rate of symptoms related to perineal trauma (anal and stress urinary incontinence) and to assess pelvic floor muscle function in women who underwent epidural analgesia. METHODS: Comparative design comprising 70 matched pairs of primiparous mothers. Each woman was questioned about urogynecologic symptoms and examined by digital test, vaginal perineometry and uroflowmetric stop test score 3 months after vaginal delivery. Urogenital prolapse was defined in accordance with the Baden and Walker's 'Halfway System Classification'. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test to compare the two groups and simple logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios of every variable considered in respect of the control population. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the incidence of stress urinary incontinence, anal incontinence and vaginal prolapse in the two study groups. No significant differences were found between the study groups with regard to the digital test, vaginal manometry and urine stream interruption test. CONCLUSIONS: Use of epidural analgesia is not associated with symptoms related to perineal trauma and pelvic floor muscle weakness.     

Epidural analgesia for vaginal delivery

Epidural anaesthesia is the most efficient method of pain reduction. The effect of pain over physiological mother's and fetuse's process; indications, contraindications and conditions for epidural analgesia for vaginal delivery, as like as side effects and complications of epidural analgesia are established in this review.     

Breech delivery and epidural analgesia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of epidural analgesia on the progress and outcome of spontaneous labour in women with a singleton breech presentation at term (greater than or equal to 37 weeks). DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Data Bank, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. SUBJECTS: 643 women (273 primiparae and 370 multiparae) with a singleton breech presentation and spontaneous onset of labour at term. OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of labour; augmentation of labour with oxytocin infusion; caesarean section rates. RESULTS: Epidural analgesia was associated with a significantly increased need for augmentation of labour with oxytocin infusion (P less than 0.001) and longer duration of labour (P less than 0.001), irrespective of parity. Comparing women who had epidural analgesia with those who did not, there was no significant difference in caesarean section rates in the first stage of labour in primiparae (odds ratio 1.79; 95% CI 0.88-3.63) or multiparae (odds ratio 0.97; 95% CI 0.48-1.96). Epidural analgesia was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of caesarean section in the second stage of labour, both in primiparae (odds ratio 5.43; 95% CI 2.46-11.95) and multiparae (odds ratio 5.37; 95% CI 2.07-13.87). The increased likelihood of caesarean section in the second stage in primiparae with epidurals was independent of the extent of cervical dilatation (less than 3 cm or greater than or equal to 3 cm) on admission. However, in multiparae with epidurals, the difference in second stage caesarean section rate was significant only when initial cervical dilatation was less than 3 cm (odds ratio 3.65; 95% CI 1.14-11.65). CONCLUSION: Epidural analgesia was associated with longer duration of labour, increased need for augmentation of labour with oxytocin infusion and a significantly higher caesarean section rate in the second stage of labour.     

The effect of epidural analgesia on obstetric lacerations and neonatal outcome during spontaneous vaginal delivery

The aim of this study was to determine if epidural analgesia is associated with increased risk of obstetric lacerations during spontaneous vaginal delivery. We also assessed the effect of epidural analgesia on maternal and neonatal parameters. This multicenter study consisted of an analysis of data from the delivery databases of the University Hospital of Vienna and the Semmelweis Women’s Hospital Vienna. This study was restricted to a sample that included all women with uncomplicated pregnancy, a gestational age >37 weeks and a pregnancy with cephalic presentation. Epidural analgesia was started during the first stage of labour. Techniques and management styles of epidural analgesia were the same in both hospitals. We found that women undergoing epidural analgesia had a prolonged second stage of labour, a higher rate of episiotomy and an increased use of oxytocin. Some of these adverse effects might be caused by the higher rate of primipara in the epidural group. However, epidural analgesia showed no evidence of a detrimental effect on the integrity of the birth-canal and on neonatal outcome during spontaneous vaginal delivery. Received: 8 November 2001 / Accepted: 20 November 2001 Correspondence to K. Mayerhofer     

Oxytocin deficiency at delivery with epidural analgesia

Summary. The effect of epidural analgesia on oxytocin release during the second stage of normal labour was studied by comparing 10 primigravidae who had epidurals with 10 control subjects who did not have epidurals. A significant increment in oxytocin between paired peripheral blood samples taken at the onset of full cervical dilatation and crowning of the fetal head was found in the control subjects but not in those with epidurals. Forceps delivery was required more often in the group with epidural analgesia and was associated with lower oxytocin levels at crowning. Since distension of the lower birth canal and stimulation of pelvic autonomic nerves leads to oxytocin release, and the need for forceps associated with epidurals can be reduced by oxytocin, these differences are attributed to the lumbar epidural block.     

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.     

Effect of programmed intermittent epidural boluses and continuous epidural infusion on labor analgesia and obstetric outcomes: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose

Continuous epidural infusion and programmed intermittent epidural boluses are analgesic techniques routinely used for pain relief in laboring women. We aimed to assess both techniques and compare them with respect to labor analgesia and obstetric outcomes.

Methods

After Institutional Review Board approval, 132 laboring women aged between 18 and 45 years were randomized to epidural analgesia of 10 mL of a mixture of 0.1% bupivacaine plus 2 µg/mL of fentanyl either by programmed intermittent boluses or continuous infusion (66 per group). Primary outcome was quality of analgesia. Secondary outcomes were duration of labor, total drug dose used, maternal satisfaction, sensory level, motor block level, presence of unilateral motor block, hemodynamics, side effects, mode of delivery, and newborn outcome.

Results

Patients in the programmed intermittent epidural boluses group received statistically less drug dose than those with continuous epidural infusion (24.9 vs 34.4 mL bupivacaine; P = 0.01). There was no difference between groups regarding pain control, characteristics of block, hemodynamics, side effects, and Apgar scores.

Conclusions

Our study evidenced a lower anesthetic consumption in the programmed intermittent boluses group with similar labor analgesic control, and obstetric and newborn outcomes in both groups.

     

Effect of combined spinal-epidural analgesia versus epidural analgesia on labor and delivery duration

Objective

To determine whether combined spinal-epidural analgesia (CSEA) can decrease the known epidural effect of lengthening delivery.

Methods

Between April and May 2010, 144 women undergoing childbirth in hospital with epidural pain relief were randomized to receive either low-dose epidural analgesia (LEA) or CSEA. The spinal component included 2.5 mg of bupivacaine, 25 μg of fentanyl, and 200 μg of morphine. The epidural component of the CSEA procedure was started once pain returned. The primary outcome was total labor duration measured from the time of initiation of labor analgesia to delivery.

Results

The difference in duration between LEA (n = 72) and CSEA (n = 72) was 5 minutes for labor (P = 0.82), 2 minutes for delivery (P = 0.60), and 7 minutes for total labor duration (P = 0.75). The combined group used less levobupivacaine (P < 0.001) and had lower sensory blockade at the dermatomal level (P = 0.037). Women in the CSEA group had a higher incidence of pruritus (P = 0.002) and lightheadedness (P = 0.02) during labor; and a higher incidence of pruritus (P = 0.002), nausea-vomiting (P = 0.026), and drowsiness (P = 0.003) in the postpartum period.

Conclusion

As compared with LEA, CSEA did not shorten the duration of labor length; however, it did reduce levobupivacaine consumption and motor weakness.     

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.     

Uneventful epidural labor analgesia and vaginal delivery in a parturient with Arnold-Chiari malformation type I and sickle cell disease

Arnold-Chiari malformation is a disorder of the hindbrain which can lead to altered craniospinal pressures and abnormal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The possibility of increased intracranial pressure imparts significant risk during labor and delivery, and has led to concern over the use of neuraxial anesthesia. Sickle cell disease is a disorder of abnormal hemoglobin that is prone to sickling under stressful conditions. The physiologic and metabolic changes associated with pregnancy and labor can precipitate sickling, which increases risks for both the mother and the fetus. Vaso-occlusive pain crisis in a parturient with sickle cell disease has been shown to improve with the initiation of neuraxial anesthesia. We present the first reported case of a parturient with both Arnold-Chiari malformation type I and sickle cell disease who presented to labor and delivery with acute pain crisis and who subsequently received epidural labor analgesia and underwent successful vaginal delivery. We include a discussion of the risks associated with pregnancy, labor, neuraxial anesthesia, and delivery in a patient with Arnold-Chiari malformation type I and sickle cell disease.     

Effect of epidural anaesthesia on clinician-applied force during vaginal delivery

OBJECTIVE: Epidural anesthesia (EA) is used in 80% of vaginal deliveries and is linked to neonatal and maternal trauma. Our objectives were to determine (1) whether EA affected clinician-applied force on the fetus and (2) whether this force influenced perineal trauma. STUDY DESIGN: After informed consent, multiparas with term, cephalic, singletons were delivered by 1 physician wearing a sensor-equipped glove to record force exerted on the fetal head. Those with EA were compared with those without for delivery force parameters. Regression analysis was used to identify predictors of vaginal laceration. RESULTS: The force required for delivery was greater in patients with EA (n = 27) than without (n = 5) (P < .01). Clinical parameters, including birth weight (P = .31) were similar between the groups. Clinician force was similar in those with no versus first- versus second-degree laceration (P = .5). Only birth weight was predictive of laceration (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Epidural use resulted in greater clinician force required for vaginal delivery of the fetus in multiparas, but this force was not associated with perineal trauma.