Optimal Bupivacaine Dose for Initiation of Labor Epidural Techniques
Labor Pain, Analgesia
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Labor Pain focused on measuring Dural Puncture Epidural Technique, Epidural Technique, Neuraxial Labor Analgesia, Bupivacaine, Local Anesthetic Agent
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Parturient with no major co-morbidities
- Singleton, vertex gestation at term (37-42 weeks)
- Less than or equal to 5 cm dilation
- Desire to receive epidural labor analgesia
- Numerical Rating Scale greater or equal to 5 (NRS 0-10, where 0 = no pain, and 10 = worst pain imaginable), at time of epidural labor analgesia request.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current or historical evidence of clinically significant disease or condition, including diseases of pregnancy (i.e preeclampsia, gestational diabetes)
- Any contraindication to the administration of an epidural technique
- History of hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reaction to an amide local anesthetic agent
- Current or historical evidence of a disease which may result in the risk of a cesarean delivery (i.e. history of uterine rupture). NB: Exception-trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) will be eligible.
- Evidence of anticipated fetal anomalies
Sites / Locations
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Dural Puncture Epidural Technique
Epidural Technique
Laboring women receiving the Dural Puncture Epidural (DPE) Technique with dose of Bupivacaine 0.25% diluted to 20 mL with isotonic sterile 0.9% saline. The first subject in the DPE group will receive an initial dose of bupivacaine 25 mg, with an endpoint being the achievement of an NRS < 3 at 30 min. Subsequent patients are administered bupivacaine doses determined by the response of the previous subject, as per the biased coin method. The subsequent up and down interval doses are bupivacaine 2.5 mg (1 mL) increments, with an anticipated dose range from 20 mg to 40 mg.
Laboring women receiving the Conventional Epidural Technique (EPL) with dose of Bupivacaine 0.25% diluted to 20 mL with isotonic sterile 0.9% saline. The first subject in the EPL group will receive an initial dose of bupivacaine 25 mg, with an endpoint being the achievement of an NRS < 3 at 30 min. Subsequent patients are administered bupivacaine doses determined by the response of the previous subject, as per the biased coin method. The subsequent up and down interval doses are bupivacaine 2.5 mg (1 mL) increments, with an anticipated dose range from 20 mg to 40 mg.