Effects of continuous epidural analgesia during labor on the early postpartum recovery of pelvic floor function

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of continuous epidural analgesia on the early postpartum recovery of pelvic floor function. Methods This retrospective analysis involves two hundred cases of maternal deliveries in our hospital, including 57 cases received continuous epidural analgesia and 143 cases did not. The pelvic floor muscle strength, fatigue and myoelectric value, pelvic and abdomen dynamics, POP-Q stage assessment of pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic floor dysfunction were compared between the two groups 6 post partum. Results Postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength was significantly higher in cases received epidural analgesia than in those did not received analgesia. Muscle fatigue of maternal Ⅰ and Ⅱ fibers in the analgesia group was significantly worse than that in the non-analgesic group (P<0.05). The pelvic floor muscle electrical values of maternal Ⅰ fibers in the analgesia group were higher than those of the non-analgesia group (P<0.05). Compared with non-analgesia group, analgesia group showed significantly lower incidence of abnormality in vaginal dynamic pressure, pelvic floor muscle static tension, pelvic floor contraction, maternal pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic floor function (P<0.05). Conclusions Continuous epidural anesthesia during labor has a positive impact on the early postpartum recovery of pelvic floor function. Key words: Epidural analgesia; Primipara; Pelvic floor function