Inflammatory and oxidative alterations of water immersion and epidural analgesia during the labor

Objective: Water immersion and epidural analgesia are both pain relief methods used to perceive less pain during the labor process. There are concerns about the maternal and fetal outcomes, although studies presented no significant complication directly related to these methods. We aimed to compare the IL-1 and 6 levels, Total serum oxidant (TOS), antioxidant (TAS) and catalase levels of births with epidural analgesia, water immersion and conventional birth without analgesia. Material and Methods: A total of 88 patients were included in the study (The water immersion group included 29 patients, while the epidural analgesia and control group included 30 and 29 patients respectively). Umblical cord IL-1, IL-6, catalase, TAS, TOS levels, neonatal Apgar scores, duration of birth process and demographic data were compared between three groups Results: There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of age, Body mass index (BMI), gravidity, parity, gestational week, and birth weight (p>0.05). TOS and IL-6 levels were significantly lower in epidural group than others (p=0.031, p=0.019 respectively). Apgar scores were significantly lower in epidural group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The water immersion and epidural analgesia were found to have no adverse effect on oxidative status and infection parameters of women.