• E W Leong, V Sivanesaratnam, L L Oh, and Y K Chan.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Res. 2000 Aug 1;26(4):271-5.

ObjectivesTo prospectively study the intervention rate, duration of labour, malpositions, fetal outcome, maternal satisfaction, voiding complications and adverse events in healthy primigravidae in spontaneous labour at term following epidural analgesia.MethodsA prospective randomized study involving 55 patients in the epidural group and 68 in the control pethidine--inhalational entonox group.ResultsThere were significantly more obstetric interventions (instrumental deliveries) in the epidural group (p < 0.01). The total duration of labour and the duration of the second stage was prolonged in the epidural group (p < 0.01). There were more malpositions at the second stage of labour in the epidural group (p < 0.02). There were no differences in fetal outcome (Apgar scores and Special Care Nursery admissions). Patients in the epidural group were consistently happier with their method of pain relief (p < 0.01). Two patients required blood patches while another 2 patients had persistent backache post epidural analgesia.ConclusionEpidural analgesia in primigravidae in spontaneous labour at term led to an increased instrumental delivery rate, prolonged duration of labour, greater rate of malpositions in the second stage, increased oxytocin requirements but with no difference in fetal outcomes but with happier mothers as compared to the control group.

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