Impact of Epidural Analgesia on labour: A Review

Pain relief in labour has always been surrounded with myths and controversies. Hence, providing effective and safe analgesia during labour has remained an ongoing challenge. Relief of labour pain has always been a point of debate in the society ever since the use of ether by J.Y. Simpson in 1846 to regional analgesia in 20 th century. Impact of labour analgesia on the progress and mode of delivery has become a crucial subject of debate among obstetric and anesthesia care providers during the last few decades. A large number of unrandomized and retrospective studies have been done to assess the effects of epidural and parenteral analgesia on duration and mode of deliveries. Epidural is a safe method to address the fear of pain associated with labour hence it should be explained to every primigravida during her antenatal period and she should be allowed to make knowledgeable choice.