Epidural analgesia in the latent phase of labor and its effects on labor and fetal outcomes

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of epidural analgesia (EA) on the progress of labor when applied during the latent phase and whether or not the mode of delivery will be affected. Design Randomized-controlled trial. Setting Kasr Al Ainy Hospital. Participants and methods Pregnant women in labor were divided into two groups: group A included women in the latent phase of labor and group B included women in the active phase of labor. EA was administered for all cases and follow-up for maternal and fetal outcomes was carried out. Results There were no significant differences between any of the parameters tested, except the rate of cervical dilatation. There were no adverse effects on the fetus in either group. Conclusion EA in the latent phase of labor does not seem to differ from its application in the active phase in terms of progress of labor or fetal outcome.