DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2025.v13i07.002

Pages: 877-886

Labor is said to be one of the most painful experiences a woman has to endure. Pain relief is an essential requirement during labor. Epidural analgesia is a safe and effective way to provide pain relief during labor. It is fast becoming the mode of choice for labor analgesia. Epidural analgesia mainly affects the body’s ability to perceive pain. The mode of delivery could be either via a spontaneous vaginal or assisted (vacuum) delivery or cesarean section. There have been myths and concerns regarding the effect of EDA on labor duration and neonatal outcomes. This study attempts to see these associations in the current South Asian population. This retrospective study on the effects of EDA on labor duration and neonatal outcomes was conducted on all pregnant women who underwent EDA. EDA has been shown to prolong the first and the second stages of labor significantly; however, it does not affect the need for cesarean delivery. The Apgar score, need for resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, admission to NICU, and other adverse neonatal outcomes among the two groups are comparable. The neonatal lab parameters were also comparable.