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A comparison between low-dose ropivacaine and bupivacaine at equianalgesic concentrations for epidural analgesia during the first stage of labor.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, onset and duration of analgesia of two equianalgesic epidural doses of ropivacaine and bupivacaine during the first stage of labor. The study included 190 healthy nulliparous parturients who presented spontaneous onset of labor and required epidural analgesia. They were divided randomly to receive epidural analgesia with an initial dose 0.10% ropivacaine or 0.0625% bupivacaine 20 mL both with the addition of 10 microg of sufentanil. There were no significant differences in onset time, quality of analgesia, maternal hypotension and ability to ambulate. Ropivacaine produced more prolonged analgesia then bupivacaine (89 vs 119 min;P<0.0003). The clinical value of this prolonged analgesia after the first dose needs further evaluation when a continuous infusion technique is used.

Clinical Trial↗

Markedly elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in maternal serum and peritoneal washing during arrested labor.

BACKGROUND: The role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathophysiology of arrested labor is currently unknown. We measured levels of inflammatory cytokines in maternal serum and peritoneal washings in arrested first stage of labor to assess the possible involvement of these mediators in this obstetric disorder. METHODS: This was a prospective, case-control study involving 15 women who underwent cesarean section for arrested cervical dilatation (group I), 15 controls who were operated during active labor for nonreassuring fetal heart-rate tracing (group II) and 15 controls who were operated electively (group III). Blood samples were drawn from all women shortly before the operation. The presence of peritoneal fluid was assessed and peritoneal washings were obtained during the operation. All samples were assayed for the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: All women from group I and one patient (6.7%) from group II had some degree of peritoneal fluid accumulation, while none from group III had any. Serum samples from group I contained significantly higher IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-2R levels than both control groups. Peritoneal washings from group I contained significantly higher IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 but similar IL-2R levels. CONCLUSIONS: Arrested first stage of labor is associated with peritoneal fluid accumulation and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in both serum and peritoneal fluids. Inflammatory cytokines may therefore be involved in the pathophysiology of arrested labor.

Adult↗

Biofeedback-assisted relaxation to reduce stress in labor.

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques into routine instruction in Lamaze classes. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design (static groups comparison) was used. SETTING: Lamaze classes. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 33 subjects recruited from 12 Lamaze classes. MEASURES: Duration of first-stage labor, amount of sedation and analgesia during first-stage labor, number of complications, and 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores of the neonates. RESULTS: The experimental subjects reported greater stress during labor than did the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Although the supplementary instruction in reducing stress seemed to promote relaxation during the prenatal classes, it did not reduce distress during labor and delivery because no mothers attempted to use the technique at that time.

Adult↗

Amniotic fluid prostaglandin D2 in spontaneous and augmented labor.

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) was quantified in human amniotic fluid obtained from women in various phases of the first stage of spontaneous labor, augmented labor, and induced labor. PGD2 increased significantly only in late labor in the spontaneous and augmented labor groups.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Pressure in the hydrocephalic fetal head during the first stage of labor.

Intraamniotic pressure was studied in the 30th week of amenorrhea in relationship with fetal intracranial pressure with open-tip catheters. The fetus had a severe hydrocephalus (echoscopy 16 cm) due to a teratologic malformation of the cerebrum. Clinically nonoperative treatment was indicated. Intracranial pressure (X) was invariably higher than intraamniotic pressure (Y) between contractions: Y = 2.04 + 0.54 X, and during contractions: Y = 5.30 + 0.55 X. There was no definite relationship between intrauterine and intracranial pressure, and the fetal tachogram. A definite relationship was established with the supine position of the patient and decelerations in the fetal tachogram. It is suggested that when fetal cardiac decelerations are seen during the first stage of labor it seems advisable to look for factors such as umbilical cord compression and decrease of materno-placental perfusion rather than fetal head compression.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Antepartum, intrapartum, and neonatal significance of exercise on healthy low-risk pregnant working women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of exercise on maternal and perinatal outcome in a low-risk healthy obstetric population. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of low-risk healthy women exercising during their pregnancy. An extensive questionnaire collected antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum patient information on 750 women. The women were divided into four groups based on exercise level during pregnancy. RESULTS: There were no differences among groups for maternal demographic characteristics, antenatal illnesses, stress, social support, or smoking. Heavily exercising women were older (P =.042), had higher incomes (P =.001), and were exercising more at conception (P =.001). Women who did more exercise were more likely to need an induction of labor (P =.033, relative risk 1.84, 95% confidence interval 1.05, 3.20), induction or augmentation with oxytocin (P =.015, relative risk 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.19, 1.97), and had longer first-stage labors (P =.032) resulting in longer total labors (P =.011). The difference in the length of first-stage labor was even greater if the no-exercise group was compared with the strongly exercising group (P =.009, relative risk 1.38, 95% confidence interval 0.16, 2.60). Fewer umbilical cord abnormalities (P =.034) were observed with exercise, but exercising women had more colds and flu (P =.008). Heavily exercising women had smaller infants (mean difference 86.5 g) compared with sedentary women. CONCLUSION: Exercise in working women is associated with smaller babies, increased number of inductions and augmentations of labor, and longer labors. Colds and flu are more frequent in exercising women.

Adult↗

Initiation of labor with a moderately favorable cervix: a comparison between prostaglandin E2 gel and oxytocin.

This study compares prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel and oxytocin for the initiation of labor in term pregnancies with a moderately favorable cervix (Bishop score 5-8). Compared with a matched group, 48 cases treated with PGE2 gel (2.5 mg intravaginally) required significantly less or no oxytocin, had shorter first stages of active labor, and had no increased risk of uterine hyperstimulation or cesarean section. Initiation of labor with low dose PGE2 when the cervix is moderately favorable is less labor intensive and meets with more patient satisfaction.

Adult↗

An evaluation of isotonic "sport drinks" during labor.

UNLABELLED: We compared the metabolic effects of allowing women isotonic "sport drinks" rather than water to drink during labor. The effect of these drinks on gastric residual volume was also evaluated. Sixty women in early labor (cervical dilation <5 cm) were randomized to receive either isotonic sport drinks or water only. Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate, nonesterified fatty acids, and glucose were measured in early labor and at the end of the first stage of labor. Residual gastric volume was assessed within 45 min of delivery by use of an ultrasound scanner. The incidence and volume of vomiting was recorded. At the end of the first stage of labor, plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (P = 0.000) and nonesterified fatty acids (P = 0.000) had increased and plasma glucose (P = 0.007) had decreased significantly in the Water-Only group. Gastric antral cross-sectional area after delivery was similar in the two groups. The incidence of vomiting and the volume vomited during labor and within the hour of delivery were also similar. There was no difference between the groups in any maternal or neonatal outcome of labor. In conclusion, isotonic drinks reduce maternal ketosis in labor without increasing gastric volume. IMPLICATIONS: Solid foods may endanger a woman's life if consumed during labor. Isotonic sport fluids were evaluated as a nutritional alternative. Results demonstrate that mothers who have not received parenteral opioids can safely drink isotonic drinks in active labor.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

Use of intrathecal analgesia in a rural hospital. Case studies.

A woman's experience of unrelenting back pain with a fetus in an occipitoposterior position and the escalating interventions culminating in a cesarean birth is every midwife's nightmare. Intrathecal analgesia is a relatively simple and rapid method to provide maternal relaxation and relief from severe back labor. This article describes the use of intrathecal opioid analgesia in labor complicated by failure to progress in first-stage labor due to persistent occipitoposterior position of the fetus. Intrathecal analgesia has the advantage of being inexpensive and providing rapid onset of adequate pain relief for the first stage of labor. It does not cause motor blockade, so it allows the mother to be mobile and feel the urge to push. Consequently, there is no associated risk of an increased need for forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery. The authors note a decreased incidence of operative delivery for fetal occipitoposterior position with the use of intrathecal narcotics.

Adolescent↗