Labor Analgesia by Lumbar Epidural Technique, in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Observational Study

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Labor pain is a severe form of acute pain with both visceral and somatic components, often requiring effective analgesia. Epidural analgesia is widely used as the most effective method for pain relief during labor, providing good maternal comfort with minimal neonatal effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of lumbar epidural analgesia in laboring women at a tertiary care hospital. Methods & Materials: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, Bogura, from May 2023 to May 2024. A total of 100 pregnant women in active labor who received epidural analgesia were selected through purposive sampling. Maternal sociodemographic data, pain scores, hemodynamic parameters, mode of delivery, complications, and neonatal outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results: The majority of participants belonged to the lower socioeconomic group (52%). Epidural analgesia resulted in significant pain reduction throughout labor. Most women (98%) delivered vaginally; only 3% required instrumental delivery and 2% underwent cesarean section. Heart rate remained stable with slight transient variation. Neonatal outcomes were favorable, with 99% of newborns having APGAR scores of 7-10 at 5 minutes and 1% between 4-6. No significant maternal complications such as hypotension, respiratory distress, or urinary retention were observed. Conclusion: Lumbar epidural analgesia is an effective and safe method for labor pain relief, providing excellent analgesia, stable maternal hemodynamics, and favorable neonatal outcomes without increasing cesarean delivery rates.