Neuraxial Preservative Free Morphine for Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery

Neuraxial Preservative Free Morphine for Normal Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery: A Prospective Double Blind Randomized Control Trial

Patients presenting for normal spontaneous vaginal delivery who have a neuraxial anesthestic will be randomized to receive preservative free morphine or saline placebo after delivery.

After obtaining consent, women presenting to the labor floor at Mount Sinai Hospital will be randomized into two groups, intervention and placebo. Baseline demographic data and surveys in regards to postpartum depression, anxiety, breastfeed willingness and pain scores will be obtained. After delivery of the baby patients will either receive 2mg preservative free morphine or saline via the epidural catheter prior to its removal. The study team will then record pain and recovery scores, as well as follow up screens to the aforementioned endpoints. The study will end at the 6 week postpartum visit with the patient's obstetrician.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women in labor

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not a candidate for neuraxial anesthesia
• Patient refusal
• Allergy to morphine
• Patients with chronic pain syndromes