The Influence of Epidural Anesthesia on the Progress of Labor and Perinatal Outcomes.

Suh, Woon Hee; Choi, Hyung Min; Kim, Jung Won

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2003;46(6):1099-1103.
Published online June 1, 2003.

The Influence of Epidural Anesthesia on the Progress of Labor and Perinatal Outcomes.

Woon Hee Suh, Hyung Min Choi, Jung Won Kim

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Inje University, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Kyungi, Korea.
²Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, Inje University, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Kyungi, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine that epidural anesthesia need not increase Cesarean delivery rates and prolong labor. METHODS: From December 1999 to May 2002, 1,585 deliveries were in Ilsan Paik Hospital. We selected 70 (epidural group) and 87 (non-epidural group) singleton, nulliparous, term, cephalic presentation without antenatal complications. We compared duration of labor, rates of Cesarean delivery and perinatal outcomes between these two groups. RESULTS: The duration of active and second stage of labor were not prolonged in the epidural group. Cesarean delivery rates was 8.6% (n=70) in the epidural group and 9.2% (n=87) in the non-epidural group, so there was no significant difference. Perinatal outcomes was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Epidural anesthesia during labor provides the best pain relief and does not increase the Cesarean delivery rates. The duration of the active, second stage of labor and perinatal outcomes was not different between these two groups.

Key Words: Epidural anesthesia, Cesarean delivery rates, Perinatal outcomes