[Epidural analgesia in labor].

Original Article Objective(s) : Aim of study was to determine effect of epidural analgesia on progress of labour and mode of delivery, to find out its complications in labour and puerperium and to evaluate neonatal out come in terms of apgar score. Method(s) : The present study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha over a period of two years extending from August 2010 to July 2012 after taking approval from institutional ethical board. 120 parturients were included in the study, 60 women received epidural analgesia for relief of labor pain and 60 women served as control. Progress of labour, mode of delivery, side effects and women's satisfaction were noted. Results : The operative delivery rates were not significantly different in both the groups. The duration of the first and second stages of labour and the need for oxytocin were comparable in the two groups. the side effects observed were easily treatable. Conclusion(s) : Epidural analgesia is a safe and effective method for labor pain relief. With active management of labor , it does not significantly alter the labor characteristics. A good APGAR score of all the babies in our series goes a long way in proving its safety with regards to the foetus and neonate as well. 1. Introduction