RESUMEN
There are a few articles about effects of anaesthesia methods in different labor phases so the aim of this study is to compare effects of different anesthetic methods [Epidural, spinal, general] on duration of different labor phases in pregnant women. In a descriptive cross-sectional study on 80 pregnant women that refered to Najimeh's labor block in summer of 2007 duration of active phase and second stage of labor were compared based on anesthesia method. Mean time from anesthesia until full cervix dilatation [Active phase] in pregnant women with epidural, spinal, and general method of anaesthesia were 124.83 +/- 96.42, 118.25 +/- 83.10 and 102.51 +/- 76.02 [minutes] respectively. The difference between 3 methods was not statistically significant [P = 0.55]. Also mean time of Cervix dilatation till full delivery [stage 2] with epidural, spinal, and general anesthesia was 71.33 +/- 39.21, 61.72 +/- 43.23 and 57.19 +/- 20.1 [minutes] respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant, [P = 0.60]. Labor phases in 3 methods of epidural, spinal, and general anesthesia does not differ statistically. So in addition to improving quantity and quality of painless Labor for decreasing cesarean rate, cesarean rate, improvement of regional anesthesia techniques is a must