Research Article: Association of epidural block analgesia combined with Low-dose oxytocin with pain intensity and delivery outcomes in primiparous women
Abstract:
Epidural block is an effective labor analgesia method; adjunctive low-dose oxytocin may further influence uterine dynamics and clinical outcomes, but evidence in primiparas is limited.
To evaluate the association of epidural analgesia combined with low-dose oxytocin with pain intensity, labor duration, delivery mode, and immediate maternal–neonatal outcomes in primiparous women.
In this retrospective study, 120 eligible primiparous women who delivered between January 2023 and January 2025 were classified by analgesia regimen into a combination group (epidural analgesia plus low-dose oxytocin) or a control group (epidural analgesia alone). We compared maternal demographics, VAS pain scores, durations of each labor stage, delivery mode, postpartum blood loss, maternal adverse events, and short-term neonatal outcomes (Apgar scores, NICU admission).
The combination group showed markedly lower VAS scores at 30?min after analgesia, in active labor, and 2?h postpartum (3.1?±?0.9 vs. 7.0?±?1.0; 3.5?±?1.0 vs. 6.8?±?1.1; 2.8?±?0.8 vs. 6.5?±?1.0; all P <?0.001). First-stage, second-stage and total labor durations were shorter in the combination group (all P <?0.05). Vaginal delivery rate was higher (86.7% vs. 60.0%, P =?0.001) and emergency cesarean lower (10.0% vs. 30.0%, P =?0.006); combined treatment remained associated with vaginal birth (adjusted OR?=?1.92, 95% CI?=?1.10–3.34, P =?0.02). Common short-term maternal adverse events did not differ significantly between groups( P >?0.05), but hospital stay was shorter with the combination ( P =?0.001).
Epidural analgesia combined with low-dose oxytocin was associated with lower labor pain scores, shorter labor duration, and a higher rate of vaginal delivery in primiparous women, without a detectable increase in common short-term maternal or neonatal adverse events.
Introduction:
Epidural block is an effective labor analgesia method; adjunctive low-dose oxytocin may further influence uterine dynamics and clinical outcomes, but evidence in primiparas is limited.
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