Comparison between pethidine and fentanyl for pain relief during labour

The aim of this study was to compare a standard analgesic which is pethidine with a more recent one; namely, fentanyl as regard the analgesic efficacy as well as the incidence of possible materno-fetal side-effects. Forty full term primigravidae in active labor with cervical dilatation 3 to 4 cm were included. They were enrolled into two groups each consisting of 20 cases to receive intravenously either pethidine or fentanyl. Both medications induced a significant analgesia in late first stage or second stage. Side effects were minimal with both medication and they did not induce any adverse effect in the mother or her fetus

Effect of heat application on labor pain

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of heat application as one of the cutaneous stimulation techniques on the intensity of labor pain. Two groups of 30 women each, who were in active labor with severe low back pain were asked to respond to a visual analogue scale starting from zero [no pain] to 10 [endurable pain]. Two types of treatment were applied, hot water bag and placebo [saline pack]. Labor progression and the required analgesic were recorded during three-hour period before any of the treatment was applied and during the two subsequent hours. Results indicated that women in the placebo group need more analgesia than the hot water bag group. The rate of C/S and instrument-assisted deliveries was higher in the placebo group than in the hot water bag group. More women in the hot water bag group planned to use hot water bag in future deliveries