Application value of analgesia throughout labor and analgesia during the first stage of labor in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Effective analgesia is required to ensure maternal and neonatal safety.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the therapeutic effects of analgesia applied throughout labor and analgesia applied during the first stage of labor in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

METHODS:

In this study, 120 puerperae with PIH who gave birth in our hospital were enrolled as the study participants and were randomized into two groups ( $n=$ 60 in each group) using a coin flip. Those who received analgesia throughout labor were enrolled in the observation group, and those administered analgesia during the first stage of labor were enrolled in the control group. The analgesic effects, changes in blood pressure during labor, and neonatal health were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:

Differences in visual analog scale (VAS) scores before analgesia, 10 min after analgesia, and full cervical dilation between the two groups were not statistically significant ( $P>$ 0.05 in all). The VAS scores of the puerperae in the observation group during forced breathing in the second stage of labor and fetal head expulsion were lower than those in the control group ( $P<$ 0.05 for both). The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, forceps delivery, and antihypertensive treatment in the observation group was slightly lower than in the control group, but the differences were not statistically significant ( $P>$ 0.05). The rate of oxytocin treatment in puerperae in the observation group was significantly lower than in the control group ( $P<$ 0.05). The differences in base excess, arterial partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and pH between the two groups of newborns were not statistically significant ( $P>$ 0.05 for all). Differences in changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups of puerperae were not statistically significant ( $P>$ 0.05 for both). Eclampsia did not occur during labor in either group.

CONCLUSION:

For patients with PIH, the application of analgesia throughout labor had a positive analgesic effect, effectively controlling the changes in blood pressure and ensuring the health of newborns. This is worthy of widespread clinical application.