Abstract:
Objectives of this randomized controlled study to compare effectiveness of epidural
analgesis with intramuscular pethidine analgesia in labour with regards to pain relief,
duration of labour, incidence of obstetric interventions, malposition, maternal complications
and neonatal out come. Study population was two hundred and ninety six uncomplicated
primigravidae. Patient were randomly allocated to two groups. In the epidural group
following a test dose 0.125 percentage bupivacaine and 2u/ml Fentanyl was administered.
Top ups with 0.25 percent bupivacaine were given for break through pain. In the pethidine
group intramuscular pethidine was administrated according to body weight. Repeat doses
ware gives for break through pain after considering progression labour and time interval of
first dose. Using numerical pain scales assessed pain relief. Other parameter assessed was
duration of labour, mode of delivery and fetal out come. Patients in the epidural group had
more satisfactory pain relief during all stages of labour compared to pethidine (p0.001).
Duration of 2nd stage significant prolong in the epidural group compared to the pethidine
group
