The effect of epidural analgesia on maternal thermoregulation in labor

Core and peripheral body temperatures were recorded in 24 parturients in labor with epidural analgesia and in 9 control parturients without analgesia. Shivering occurred in 11 (46%) of the women with epidural analgesia and in one parturient without analgesia. Twelve patients (50%) showed increase in leg and chest temperatures after injection of bupivacaine 0.35% into the epidural space. Lumbar epidural analgesia may produce shivering and temporary temperature changes in the periphery. Core temperature is not significantly altered.