European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Mar 1990
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialMaternal opinion about analgesia in labour and delivery. A comparison of epidural blockade and intramuscular pethidine.
In a prospective randomized study we evaluated the opinion of 97 parturients on either epidural analgesia or parenteral pethidine with respect to analgesic efficacy, general feelings and symptoms during labour and delivery. The analgesic effect of the epidural block was significantly superior to pethidine with regard to the pain score (visual analogue scale (VAS)0 during the first stage of labour (mean VAS 11 contrasting 65). ⋯ Fewer side effects were registered in the epidural group compared to the pethidine group, however only significantly concerning sleepiness. It is concluded that in this study low-dose epidural analgesia during the first stage of labour was superior to parenteral pethidine regarding pain relief and side effects.