Abstract
A prospective randomized study was Performed to detail clinical experience with both patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) and midwife-administered intermittent bolus (IB) epidural analgesia during labour, under the conditions pertaining in a busy obstetric delivery unit. Both methods used 0.125% bupivacaine plus fentanyl, and similar rescue supplementation although management decisions related to epidural analgesia were made principally by attending midwives
One hundred and ninety-eight women were recruited and data analysed from 167 (PCEA n = 82 IB n=85) The groups were demographically similar. Median hourly pain scores, ratings of analgesia and satisfaction did not differ Maximum pain scores were significantly higher in those receiving IB epidural analgesia (P<0.05). The PCEA group had a significantly higher rate of supplementation and bupivacaine use (P<0.01), and a longer duration of the second stage of labour (P<0.03) The relative risk of instrumental delivery with PCEA versus the IB method was 1.57 (CI 1.07–2.38)
Experience within our unit with PCEA is contrasted with that of IB epidural analgesia, the method most commonly used; and with that of controlled trials comparing these two methods.