Assessment of the effect of epidural anaesthesia on the duration of the second stage of labour: A retrospective study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.4.2025.644Keywords:
epidural analgesia, labour, second stage of labour, duration of labour, newborn, obstetric complicationsAbstract
Relevance: Modern obstetrics aims to ensure the safest and most comfortable conditions for the mother and fetus. One of the most effective methods of pain relief during childbirth is epidural anesthesia (EDA).
Of particular importance is the study of the effect of EDA on the duration of the second stage of labor, a phase that is critical for the mother and child. Prolongation of this stage may increase the risk of obstetric complications, such as weak contractions, the need for operative delivery, and trauma to the birth canal and newborn. However, the results of studies remain contradictory.
In this regard, a comprehensive assessment of the effect of EDA on the duration of the second stage of labor is of high clinical and practical importance.
The study aimed to evaluate the effect of epidural anesthesia on the duration of the second stage of labor in parturients.
Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Perinatal Centers No. 1 and No. 2 in the city of Karaganda from September 1, 2024, to September 1, 2025. The study subject were women who delivered vaginally. The main group included women who delivered with EDA (n = 452). The control group included women who delivered without EDA (n = 998).
Results: All women had singleton full-term pregnancies and delivered vaginally. The mean duration of the second stage of labor was 45.2 ± 14.3 minutes in women receiving EDA and 43.5 ± 13.7 minutes in those without EDA. Analysis of the frequency of operative obstetric interventions (vacuum extraction, forceps delivery) demonstrated a slightly higher rate in the EDA group compared with the non-EDA group (6.4% vs. 5.1%). The fetal distress frequency in the second stage of labor was 5.3% in the EDA group and 4.7% in the control group (p = 0.57). Neonatal well-being indicators also did not differ between the groups.
Conclusions: The use of EDA was associated with a slight prolongation of the second stage of labor, with a mean increease of 1.7 minutes; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.15). EDA did not adversely affect the course of labor or neonatal condition, supporting its safety as a pain relief method when the course of the second stage of labor is appropriately monitored.
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Aidauletova S, Bukebaeva Z, Kopobaeva I, Amirbekova Z. Epidural anesthesia during childbirth: benefit or harm?. Reproductive Medicine (Central Asia). 2024;4:58–65. Russian.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Н.Р Габитова, А.К Ермекова, А.Д Увашева, Ж.Т Амирбекова
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