Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Epidural analgesia and uterine function

E R Newton1, B C Schroeder, K G Knape

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA.

Obstetrics and Gynecology
|May 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Core and valence photoelectron spectroscopy of a series of substituted disulfides.

The Journal of chemical physics·2024
Same author

Spectroscopic Investigation of the Effect of Microstructure and Energetic Offset on the Nature of Interfacial Charge Transfer States in Polymer: Fullerene Blends.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2019
Same author

Treating cat allergy with monoclonal IgG antibodies that bind allergen and prevent IgE engagement.

Nature communications·2018
Same author

Premature induction of hepatic tryptophan oxygenase.

Neurochemical research·2013
Same author

In reply to Dr Jamshidi's letter.

Wilderness & environmental medicine·2013
Same author

Antigenic differences between strains of scrub typhus as demonstrated by cross-neutralization tests.

Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.)·2010
Same journal

The Political Determinants of Obstetric Prescribing.

Obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Risk of Adverse Maternal Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

Milestones in Motion: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.

Obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

Ebola Virus in Pregnancy.

Obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

A Quality-Improvement Study Evaluating Three Postpartum Prophylactic Oxytocin Rates and Blood Loss After Vaginal Birth.

Obstetrics and gynecology·2026
Same journal

The Effects of Climate Change on Obstetric and Gynecologic Health.

Obstetrics and gynecology·2026
See all related articles

Continuous epidural analgesia using bupivacaine and fentanyl did not alter myometrial contractility but significantly slowed cervical dilation and increased operative deliveries. This suggests a potential impact on labor progression.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Reproductive Medicine

Background:

  • Epidural analgesia is commonly used for pain management during labor.
  • Concerns exist regarding its potential effects on labor progression, including cervical dilation and uterine contractility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of continuous epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and fentanyl on cervical dilation rate and myometrial contractility.
  • To compare labor outcomes between women receiving epidural analgesia and those who did not.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study matching 62 women receiving epidural analgesia with 124 controls.
  • Outcome variables included uterine activity, cervical dilation rate, oxytocin use, and operative delivery rates.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Epidural analgesia did not affect myometrial contractility in the first hour.
  • Cervical dilation was significantly slower in the epidural group (1.9 cm/hour) compared to controls (5.6 cm/hour), despite increased oxytocin use.
  • Operative delivery rates were higher in the epidural group (19.4%) versus the control group (1.6%).

Conclusions:

  • Continuous epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and fentanyl maintains myometrial contractility with oxytocin support.
  • However, it significantly reduces the uterus's ability to dilate the cervix, potentially prolonging labor and increasing operative delivery rates.