Epidural analgesia for labor pain is not associated with a decreased frequency of uterine activity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of epidural and pethidine analgesia on the frequency of uterine contractions during the first stage of labor.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Delivery ward of a public hospital.


METHODS
Forty consecutive parturients.


RESULTS
The mean number of contractions in the 30 min before administration of pethidine analgesia was 8.2+/-1.7 as compared to 8.7+/-1.3 after administration of the analgesia. The mean number of contractions in the 30 min before administration of epidural analgesia was 8.0+/-1.4 as compared to 8.8+/-1.9 after administration of the analgesia. The differences between the two groups and between the number of contractions before and after the administration of both types of analgesia were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Properly and timely administered epidural analgesia during the first stage of labor has no effect on frequency of uterine activity.
Lurie
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laniado Hospital, Netanya, Israel.
Feinstein
M
M
Heifetz
C
C
Mamet
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000187:drug effects*; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008614:Meperidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine; D008614:Meperidine; D005283:Fentanyl; D002045:Bupivacaine