The Effects of Labour Neuraxial Analgesia Used on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

The effect of types of labour central neuraxial (CN) technique used on maternal mode of delivery (MOD) and neonatal Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration (APGAR) score were evaluated. Data of 1378 parturients who were aged ≥18 with singleton pregnancy at term (≥37 and ≤42 weeks’ gestation) and received labour CN analgesia were retrospectively reviewed. Their demographic data, types of CN technique used, maternal MOD and neonatal APGAR score were recorded. Labour CN techniques were performed in 19.36% parturients which mostly was epidural technique (16.76%). Parturients who used combined spinal epidural (CSE) technique for labour analgesia had more instrumental deliveries (IDs) compared to using epidural technique (22 (22.4%) vs. 76 (77.6%), p=0.011). Parturients who used CSE technique for labour analgesia had an increased likelihood of IDs by 2.044 (95% CI 1.186-3.253, p=0.01) and parturients who were nulliparous had higher risk by 2.110 (95% CI 1.299-3.249, p=0.03). The types of labour CN technique used did not affect the neonatal APGAR scores (APGAR score: Good [epidural 1182 (99.6%) vs. CSE 189 (99%) and Bad [epidural 5 (0.4%) vs. CSE 2 (1.0%)], p=0.252). In conclusion, the types of labour CN technique used affected the maternal MOD without affecting the neonatal outcome.