Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 2001
Maternal satisfaction and pain control in women electing natural childbirth.
Many women who choose natural childbirth for labor ultimately request epidural analgesia to control labor pain. Unfortunately, parturients and family members may often be unprepared for epidural anesthesia, which can contribute to disappointment and dissatisfaction with their labor and delivery. This study examines how epidural analgesia for labor influences maternal satisfaction in women who initially choose natural childbirth. ⋯ This study examined the influence of epidural analgesia in parturients electing natural childbirth. Pain relief alone was not found to improve maternal satisfaction. This study highlights the importance of experience and prelabor expectations on maternal satisfaction with childbirth.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effects of single and fractionated doses of mepivacaine on the extent of thoracic epidural block.
The effects of single and fractionated doses of local anesthetic on the extent of thoracic epidural blockade has not yet been determined. This single blinded and randomized study was designed to examine the effects of the initial dose and timing of the additional dose of local anesthetic on the sensory block level of the thoracic epidural anesthesia. ⋯ We concluded that the timing of the second administration of mepivacaine was one of the factors for the spread of the drug into thoracic epidural space. The more extensive sensory block level occurred by shorter time interval of the second drug administration.