Pain Relief Effects on Length of Labor
Labor Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Labor Pain focused on measuring Labor, analgesia, epidural, spinal
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Nulliparous women
- Term gestation, defined as equal to or greater than 37 weeks
- Ages 16-44 years
- Singleton gestation
- Cephalic presentation
- Induction of labor on Monday 0700 through Friday 0700 at Parkland Hospital
- Intact membranes on admission
Exclusion Criteria:
- Chorioamnionitis at randomization
- Intrauterine fetal death
- Coagulopathy
- Allergies to amide local anesthetics
- Localized back infection
Sites / Locations
- Parkland Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Combined spinal-epidural
Continuous lumbar epidural
After verification of being in the intrathecal space with free-flow of cerebral spinal fluid, 1 mL of 0.25% bupivicaine along with 20 mcg of fentanyl will be injected into the intrathecal space. Subsequently, a B/Braun Perifix FX closed tip multiorifice flexible epidural catheter will be threaded 4 cm into the epidural space. After obtaining a T6 dermatomal level of sensory blockade, a standard solution consisting of 0.125% bupivicaine with 2 mcg of fentanyl/mL of solution will be started at 10 mL/hour with a patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) option of 8 mL every 45 minutes. If a patient requires redosing, 5-10 mL of 0.25% bupivicaine will be injected slowly through epidural catheter with a goal dermatome level of T6. No systemic opioids will be given.
After identifying the epidural space with the loss of resistance technique, a standard flexible epidural catheter will be threaded 4 cm into the epidural space. A standard test dose of 3 mL of 1.5% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 will be given through the catheter. If positive for vascular or intrathecal placement, procedure to be repeated at different interspace. If negative, catheter will be secured and slowly dosed with 5-10 mL of 0.25% bupivicaine through epidural catheter with a goal dermatome level of T6. After obtaining the dermatome level of sensory blockade, a standard solution consisting of 0.125% bupivicaine with 2 mcg of fentanyl/mL of solution will be started at 10 mL/hour with a PCEA option of 8 mL every 45 minutes. If a patient requires redosing, 5-10 mL of 0.25% bupivicaine will be injected slowly through epidural catheter with a goal dermatome level of T6. No systemic opioids will be given.