Abstract | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: METHODS: Subjects scheduled for induced labour were divided into three groups: Group A (n = 60) received 5 x 10(-4)% fentanyl (10-20 mL) administered epidurally to relieve early first-stage labor pain. Group B (n = 60) received no analgesic in the early first stage of labor. For groups A and B, when cervical dilatation exceeded 4 cm, 10 to 15 mL of 5 x 10(-2)% bupivacaine and 2 x 10(-4)% fentanyl were injected epidurally and a continuous low dosage was maintained until full dilatation of the cervix resulted. Group C (n = 198) received no analgesic during the entire labor course. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the duration of the early period of the first stage of labor, the duration of the late period of the first stage, the duration of the second stage, the Apgar score, or the arterial blood gas of neonates among the three groups. However, group C had a significantly higher cesarean section rate (28.8%) than group A (16.7%) or group B (15%). Pain scores assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) throughout the entire labor course, were lower in group A than in group B; particularly during the early period of the first stage. The VAS scores in both groups A and B were significantly lower than those in group C during the late period of the first stage of labor. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that once labor pain begins and the subject requests analgesia, epidural injection with fentanyl alone can relieve labor pain during the early period of the first stage. The analgesia does not cause adverse effects to the mothers or neonates. In addition, the labor course and the method of delivery are not affected.
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Authors | L K Chen, H W Hsu, C J Lin, C H Huang, S K Tsai, C N Lee, F J Hsieh |
Journal | Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi
(J Formos Med Assoc)
Vol. 99
Issue 7
Pg. 549-53
(Jul 2000)
ISSN: 0929-6646 [Print] Singapore |
PMID | 10925565
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Analgesics, Opioid
- Fentanyl
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Topics |
- Adult
- Analgesia, Epidural
- Analgesia, Obstetrical
- Analgesics, Opioid
(therapeutic use)
- Delivery, Obstetric
- Female
- Fentanyl
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Infant, Newborn
- Labor Stage, First
- Pregnancy
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