The Effect of Epidural-Spinal Anesthesia on Labor Outcome and Satisfaction in Parturient Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: One of the health system concerns is the use of medications for pain relief during labor and its side effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of epiduralspinal anesthesia (combined anesthesia [CA]) on labor outcome and satisfaction in pregnant women. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial study, we included 80 nulliparous women who had been admitted to Fatemieh hospital (Hamadan, Iran) during 2015-2016 due to spontaneous onset of labor. They were randomly assigned into 2 groups of 40, one group with CA versus normal vaginal delivery (NVD) group. Data were collected by using of demographic questionnaire, satisfaction questionnaire, and baby truck scales. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS version 16.0. Results: Average maternal age (mean ± SD) in the CA group was 26.94 ± 4.34 and in the NVD group was 25.89 ± 5.18, respectively. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of length of second stage of labor (P = 0.001), headache (P = 0.04), and Apgar score (first minute) (P = 0.001). Chi-square test showed a significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of satisfaction with childbirth (P = 0.004). Conclusion: In this study, labor pain relief by using the spinal-epidural anesthesia (CA) increased the labor satisfaction. Nevertheless, this approach was associated with some maternal and neonatal complications such as: headaches, length of third stage of labor, and low Apgar score. It seems that the use of this method for painless delivery requires further studies.