Labor epidurals and outcome.
The use of epidural analgesia for labor continues to increase dramatically. It has been suggested that epidural analgesia increases the risk of cesarean section, operative vaginal delivery, and prolonged labor. These issues have been extensively investigated. The use of epidural analgesia does not increase the risk of cesarean section. It may affect the incidence of forceps delivery, but it depends on the medications used. Epidural analgesia does prolong labor, although the clinical significance of this prolongation has not been shown.
Gaiser
Robert R
RR
Department of Anesthesia, Pharmacology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. gaiserr@uphs.upenn.edu
D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D012107:Research Design