Effect of epidural analgesia on duration of the first and second stages of labour.

Effect of Epidural Analgesia on Duration of the First and Second Stages of Labour Abstract: This bachelor's thesis deals with the topic of epidural analgesia. Nowadays, epidural analgesia is considered to be the most effective method of relieving labour pain. The thesis is both theoretical and practical. The aim of the theoretical part is to summarize knowledge about labour pain and the methods of relieving it. The thesis offers a comprehensive review of both non-pharmacological and pharmacological techniques. The method of epidural analgesia is described in more detail. The thesis describes the indications and contraindications of administering epidural analgesia. It also studies it's impact on the course of labour. The practical part of this thesis consists of results of a prospective study concerning epidural analgesia. A group of women with administered epidural analgesia during labour were compared to a group of women without administration of epidural analgesia. Then it was looked at whether this method of analgesia has any effect on the length of the first and second stages of labour. It was ascertained by statistical methods that epidural analgesia has no effect on the duration of the first and second stages of labour. Keywords: Epidural Analgesia, Labour, Childbirth, Delivery, Parturition, First..