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Influence of Epidural Anaesthesia on the Course of Labour in Patients with Antepartum Fetal Death
Author(s) -
Lurie Samuel,
Blickstein Isaac,
Feinstein Michael,
Matzkel Avi,
Ezri Tiberiu,
Soroker David
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1991.tb02787.x
Subject(s) - medicine , narcotic , anesthesia , pain relief , gestational age , oxytocin , fetus , obstetrics , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Summary: The course of labour in 22 patients with antepartum fetal death who received epidural anaesthesia was evaluated as compared to 22 controls matched for parity and gestational age, who received narcotic pain relief. Both groups had similar preinduction cervical dilatation and the induction was performed by amniotomy and oxytocin infusion. The mean first stage of labour was 5.4 hours in the epidural group, and 8.7 hours in the controls (p = 0.0192). The mean cervical dilatation rate was 3.3 cm/hour and 1.0 cm/hour respectively (p = 0.0142). The second stage was similar in both groups. We conclude, that parturients receiving epidural anaesthesia may benefit both emotionally and physically from excellent pain relief and a shorter delivery process when going through the distressing experience of delivering a dead fetus.