Epidural Analgesia During Labour (PIEBvsPCEA)

Epidural Analgesia During Labour Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia Versus Patient Intermittent Epidural Boluses With Levobupivacaine

Randomized single blind trial based on comparing the way the local anesthetic is dosificated during labour. The pain control is evaluated and compared with both dosage techniques (PCEA vs PIEB)using levobupivacaine and fentanyl. The primary objective is to see no differences in pain control(VAS, Visual Analog Scale). The secondary goals are the differences in motor block(Bromage Scale), satisfaction (Likert Scale), the outcome (eutocic, instrumental o cesarean section), second stage of labour time, newborn´s Apgar and pH and total dosis and secondary effects of local anesthetic.

There is a protocol where every healthy primiparous women have the chance to join the study after the explanation and the informed consent is signed. There are blind envelopes with the two kinds of treatment and the investigator only has to follow the protocol.

PIEB: The boluses are programmed every 30 minutes. The patient can ask for another extra bolus in between if she wishes. The dosis per hour are equivalent to the PCEA. We make a comparison between PCEA vs PIEB.

PCEA: There is a continuous infusion and the patient can order extra boluses every 15 minutes. The dosis per hour are equivalent to the other arm to the PIEB. We make a comparison between PCEA vs PIEB.

Each patient were randomized to PIEB (7 ml bolus every 30 minutes, with extra boluses (PCEA) of 6 ml every 20 minutes) or PCEA (5 ml in continuous perfussion + PCEA of 5 ml every 15 minutes).

Each patient were randomized to PIEB (7 ml bolus every 30 minutes, with extra boluses (PCEA) of 6 ml every 20 minutes) or PCEA (5 ml in continuous perfussion + PCEA of 5 ml every 15 minutes).

Inclusion Criteria: 20- 40 years-old women Primiparous women Dilatation 3- 7 cm No risk illnesses for epidural block No risk pregnancy Signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Illnesses which are a risk for pregnancy Multiparous women Contraindicated diseases for epidural block Women who can not understand the procedure Women who do not want to sign the informed consent Patients with drug´s allergy

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