Effects and side effects of combined spinal epidural analgesia on progress of labor and delivery

Background: Conduction analgesia is one of the most effective routes for relief of labor pain. Combined spinal epidural analgesia may cause less maternal and neonatal complications. These study aimed to investigate the effects of combined spinal epidural analgesia on progress of labor delivery and related complications.

Methods: In a randomized clinical trial study 220 women in spontaneous labor at term were randomly assigned into case (Painless labor, n=110), which received combined spinal – epidural analgesia or normal delivery (n=110) as a control group. A written procedure manual that prescribed the intra partum management was followed for each participant woman. Indications for cesarean delivery and some complications were measured. The t-test was used for statistical analysis of data between two groups.

Results: 110 women were studied in each group and all data was collected. There was no significant difference in the rate of cesarean deliveries between case and control groups (9.1% in control group vs. 3.6 % in case group). Delayed delivery, hyperthermia and headache after delivery was significantly higher in the case group than the control group (p<0.05)

Conclusion: Combined spinal epidural analgesia increase delayed delivery, hyperthermia and headache after delivery but it doesn't affect the cesarean deliveries rate.