ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of ambulatory labor analgesia used in latent phase of the first stage of labor, which include labor progress, Apgar score after ambulatory labor analgesia begun to use when the cervix was different size dilatated. Methods Seventy-five parturient primiparas who had no complication were randomly divided into three groups: group Ⅰ: ambulatory labor analgesia was begun to use when the cervix was 1.0 cm dilated, group Ⅱ: ambulatory labor analgesia was begun to use when the cervix was 2-3 cm dilated, group Ⅲ: control group without use of ambulatory labor analgesia. Analgesic effects were observed, changes of uterine contraction were recorded by fetal monitor. Meanwhile, total stage of labor ,outcome of delivery and Apgar score were recorded. Results Duration of total stage of labor had no significant difference between group Ⅰ and group Ⅲ.The duration of the first labor stage was significantly longer in group Ⅰ than that in group Ⅱ(P