Comparison of Epidural versus Entonox for Labor Analgesia in Nulliparous Women

Introduction: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of epidural versus entonox methods for labor analgesia in nulliparous women.  Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed on ۸۴ nulliparous women with - pregnancy admitted to Imam Reza Hospital in ۱۰ May ۲۰۱۰- ۱۰ May ۲۰۱۱.  They were randomly divided into two groups ۴۲ women inhaled entonox in active phase at the beginning of each contraction, and for ۴۲ cases, epidural catheter was inserted and analgesic substance was injected and it was increased adjusted with contraction progressing by bupivacaine combined with fentanyl. The rate of pain was measured with pain scores (minimum pain ۰ and maximum pain ۱۰).  Results: In epidural analgesia, pain score was lower in all stages of labor than entonox analgesia ۴۲% of cases had no pain, while as in entonox group, pain has been decreased ۴ scores in ۷% of cases and there was no complete analgesia. Duration of different stages of labor was not statistically different between two groups (P=۰.۸۹). Cesarean rate was similar in two groups. First and five minute Apgar were not statistically different between two groups (P=۰.۸۷, P=۰.۷۵, respectively).  Conclusions: Epidural analgesia with more relief in labor pain is the desired method. This method doesn’t cause more cesarean rate or prolonged labor duration. Although Entonox decreases labor pain in first stage, but doesn’t affect on second stage and fetus Apgar.

کلیدواژه ها:

Entonox ، Epidural analgesia ، Labor pain