ABSTRACT
Opiate receptors have been demonstrated in the brain and the spinal substantia gelatinosa. Intrathecal injection of morphine produces prolonged increase in pain threshold of rats, rabbits and cats. Also postoperative pain relief is successfully managed by intrathecally injected morphine. So, this work evaluates the effects of intrathecal morphine as a method for obstetric analgesia. This study was performed on 80 full term parturients in active labour out of which 40 were given intrathecal morphine. Morphine 0.4 mg diluted in 4 ml normal saline were injected in L[3-4] level when the cervix was 2 fingers dilated. Observations were done for pulse, B.P, onset, duration and degree of analgesia, progress of labour, Apgar score for the neonates and any side effects. Analgesia started 15-20 minutes after morphine injection. 95% of parturients reported complete relief of labour pain. There were no changes in pulse rate, B.P, respiration or motor power of the mother. The process of labour was normally progressed in 80%. Mean Apgar score was 9.85. However, episiotomies needed local infiltration. The patient seemed sleepy, itching occured in 31 cases [77.5%] and miosis was observed in 2 cases [5%]. It is concluded that intrathecal morphine is a valuable method for obstetric analgesia