Influence of Maternal Postioning on Spread of Local Anesthetic After Epidural Analgesia

Influence of Maternal Postioning on Spread of Local Anesthetic After Epidural Analgesia

The purpose of this study is to determine if a lateral positioning of the pregnant woman after epidural analgesia increases the incidence of unilateral functioning epidurals.

Pregnant women requesting epidural analgesia will be randomized to either left lateral or semi-recumbent position for 30 minutes after the first epidural bolus-injection.

After 30 minutes, the clinical effect of the analgesia will be evaluated by an anesthesiologist if available or by a midwife if the anesthesiologist is unavailable. The study-period is concluded thereafter and further positioning is optional.

Maternal and fetal wellbeing are continuously being monitored during the study period and complications/interventions registered. APGAR and CTG results during the intervention will be registered and evaluated at a later stage.

Inclusion Criteria:

• all adult pregnant women recieiving epidural analgesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• participation refused
• inability to understand study purpose/instructions
• study postition could not be maintained for 30 min
• ineffective epidural