The effect of continuous low-dose epidural analgesia on uterine work during the active phase of the first stage of labour
Guidozzi, F.; Graham, K.M.; Buchmann, E.J.; Christophers, G.J.
South African Medical Journal 81(7): 361-362
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 1561559 Document Number: 4704
Fifty-six patients admitted to hospital in normal spontaneous labour were given a continuous epidural infusion of 10 ml (12.5 mg) of 0.125% bupivacaine during the 1st stage of labour. Uterine contractions were monitored with an intra-uterine pressure transducer and uterine work expressed both in Alexandria units and the area under the curve of the intra-uterine pressure recording summated over 15 minutes. Variables that have been shown to affect uterine contractions were strictly excluded. Our study showed that continuous low-dose epidural analgesia had no significant effect on uterine work during the active phase of the 1st stage of labour when cervical dilatation was 5 cm or more. If cervical dilatation was between 3 and 4 cm there was a 2.9% reduction. This reduction in uterine work was also not significant and in all patients spontaneously returned to its previous level within 91 minutes.
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