RESUMEN
Two groups of primigravida with fetuses in singleton vertex presentation were studied, 20 parturients in group 1 received continuous infusion analgesia [EDA] and 20 parturients in group II received intermittent [EDA]. Both groups had oxytocin infusion through out delivery. The groups were compared regarding pain relief, duration of the second stage, mode of deliveryk, neonatal condition and presence or absence of complications to EDA. The continuous infusion EDA group gave constant and significant pain relief P < 0.05. The duration of the second stage and waking for sensation of pushing were significantly shorter than the group with intermittent EDA [P < 0.05 and P < 0.05] respectively. The rate of instrumental vaginal delivery was 40% in group of intermittent EDA, while it was 10% with continuous infustion EDA group. Neonates in this study had no adverse effects on their pH or Apgar Scores with EDA. So EDA when adminstered as a continuous infusion; the low concedntration of the anlgesic drug is shown to give a good sensory blockade, leaving the motoric impulses intact and therby preventing second stage complications. ticularly vagolytic effect, and thus it has been successfully emplyed in patients under going coronary artery bypass grafting by tassonyi et al., 1988