Intrathecal Hydromorphone for Labor Analgesia

Intrathecal Hydromorphone for Labor Analgesia

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of intrathecal hydromorphone on the duration of labor analgesia and the incidence of epidural-associated temperature increase in laboring parturients. We hypothesize that intrathecal administration of longer-acting hydromorphone will:

1. Prolong the duration and improve the quality of analgesia in labor, and
2. Decrease the incidence of epidural-associated temperature increase in labor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients are eligible for enrollment if they are healthy, pregnant females between the ages of 18 and 45 years, primiparous, and at term gestation (≥ 37 weeks).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a Category II or III fetal heart rate tracing, a fetus with intrauterine growth restriction, prolonged rupture of membranes, recent diagnosis of infection of any cause, or in whom dural puncture is contraindicated will be excluded from the study.