Abstract
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)) during the first stage of labour (mean VAS 11 contrasting 65). Moreover, 30 (59%) women in the epidural group compared to 9 (20%) in the pethidine group had a painless labour and delivery. Significantly more parturients (37 (73%)) in the epidural group would request an epidural blockade rather than pethidine treatment (14 (30%)) in a subsequent labour. 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.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
