The influence of patient-controlled epidural analgesia on labor progress and neonatal outcome

Abstract Aim: The aim of the study was to check the influence of patient control epidural analgesia on labor progress and neonatal outcome. Material and methods: 144 parturients were included into the clinical trial. In 73 cases patient control epidural analgesia was used and in 71 cases pethidine (meperidine) solution was given intravenously. Apgar score, umbilical artery pH, pain intensity, the time of the first, second and third stage of labor, the rate of episiotomy and uterine postpartum abrasions and the rate of caesarean sections and vaginal operative delivery were compared. Results: The time of the second stage of labor was significantly longer in the study group (40.99 vs 26.49min, p