Epidural analgesia in labor: A narrative review

Lumbar epidural is the most effective form of pain relief in labor with around 30% of laboring women in the UK and 60% in the USA receiving epidural analgesia. Associations of epidural on maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes have been the subject of intense study, though a number of uncertaint...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of gynecology and obstetrics 2022-11, Vol.159 (2), p.356-364
Main Authors: Halliday, Lucy, Nelson, Scott M., Kearns, Rachel J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
epidural
labor analgesia
maternal outcomes
neuraxial
obstetric analgesia
obstetric outcomes
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Summary:Lumbar epidural is the most effective form of pain relief in labor with around 30% of laboring women in the UK and 60% in the USA receiving epidural analgesia. Associations of epidural on maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes have been the subject of intense study, though a number of uncertainties persist. The present narrative review explores important areas of research surrounding epidural analgesia in obstetric patients including methods of initiation and administration, choice of local anesthetic solution, and the addition of adjuvants. Key meta‐analyses exploring associations of epidural analgesia on maternal and neonatal outcomes are identified and summarized. Synopsis The present narrative review explores important areas of research surrounding epidural analgesia in labor and the effect on obstetric, maternal, neonatal, and childhood outcomes.
ISSN:0020-7292
1879-3479
DOI:10.1002/ijgo.14175