Effect of Painless Delivery with Saddle Block on Some Labor Parameters in Primiparous Women: A Clinical Trial Study

Labor pain is the most unbearable pain and can be relieved by painless delivery. This study aimed at investigating the effect of intrathecal sufentanil on some labor parameters in primiparous women.

In this clinical trial study, 126 primiparous women, who were candidates for vaginal delivery in Niknafs Hospital of Rafsanjan, were enrolled based on the table of random numbers in two intervention and control groups equally. The intervention group received 0.1 µg/kg sufentanil in the L5-S1 space, and the control group did not receive painless delivery. Then, the length of the first stage of labor, pain score, perineal laceration, frequency of cesarean section, mother's satisfaction, Apgar of neonate, delivery with vacuum, and need for analgesic in postpartum period were investigated. To compare numeric variables, two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and to compare the categorical variables chi-square test were used.

The average length of the first stage of labor in the intervention and control groups were 141.33±58.43 and 278.61±140.81 minutes, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). In the intervention group, average pain score, perineal laceration, cases leading to caesarean section, and the frequency of need for analgesic in postpartum were significantly less than the control group (p<0.05).

Painless delivery with saddle block and sufentanil drug reduced length of the first stage of delivery and pain score. Also it improved other delivery parameters, so it is recommended for painless delivery.