Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica
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Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand · Jan 1980
Emotional stress in childbirth and its modification by variations in obstetric management. Epidural analgesia and stress in labor.
Emotional stress before, during and after labor was measured in 20 primigravidae by serial estimation of plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids and by stress assessment interviews. The anticipation of epidural analgesia and internal fetal monitoring was a significant source of emotional stress to women awaiting induction of labor, despite explanation and attempted reassurance. During labor epidural analgesia reduced stress by abolishing pain, so eliminating the progressive rise in 11-hydroxycorticosteroids normally seen throughout labor. Epidural analgesia does not, however, block the potential for the adrenocortical response to stress and the physical work, emotional stress and surgical trauma of delivery stimulate a considerable output of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids.
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Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand · Jan 1980
Comparative StudyA comparison of the analgesic effects of methoxyflurane-nitrous oxide and nitrous oxide alone during labour related to the Eysenck personality inventory test.
One hundred and thirty-three paturients who had received either methoxyflurane-nitrous oxide or nitrous oxide analgesia with or without pudendal block, underwent the Eysenck Personality Inventory Test on the second postpartum day and evaluated their memory of the pain (Subjectively Evaluated Pain Suffering Scores) during labor. Parturients who had received methoxyflurance-nitrous oxide analgesia reported significantly lower pain suffering than parturients who had had nitrous oxide analgesia. ⋯ On the other hand, nitrous oxide analgesia without additional pudendal block gave significantly lower pain suffering at the extrovert end of the scale. Among the extroverts there was a tendency, though not statistically significant, towards non-approval of the pudendal block.