Articles Vol. 67 No. CĐ7-Trường ĐH Y Dược Hải Phòng 06/07/2026

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PAIN RELIEF AND SIDE EFFECTS OVER TIME OF THE CONTINUOUS EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA IN LABOR AT HAI PHONG OBSTETRICS HOSPITAL

Do Thi Lan Anh1,2, Nguyen Quang Loi3,4, Pham Thi Thu Huong2,5, Nguyen Thi Thu Huong2,5, Vu Van Quang2,5
1 Nursing faculty, Hai Phong university of Medicine and Pharmacy
2 Khoa Điều dưỡng, Trường Đại học Y Dược Hải Phòng.
3 Anesthesia and Resuscitation department, Hai Phong university of Medicine and Pharmacy.
4 Bộ môn Gây mê hồi sức, Trường Đại học Y Dược Hải Phòng.
5 Nursing faculty, Hai Phong university of Medicine and Pharmacy.
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67iCD7.5591
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Keywords
pain relief, side effects, continuous epidural anesthesia, labor
Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effectiveness and identify side effects over time of continuous epidural anesthesia (CEA) during labor.  

Research Method: A prospective observational study conducted on 115 women undergoing vaginal delivery at Hai Phong Obstetrics Hospital from January to April 2026. The women received continuous analgesia with a syringe pump delivering a mixture of 0.1% Levobupivacaine and 2 mcg/ml Fentanyl. Pain scores using VAS were assessed at four time points: before anesthesia, 30 minutes after anesthesia, at delivery, and during perineal suturing; side effects were monitored during labor and up to 48 hours postpartum.  

Results: Regarding pain relief, the average VAS score significantly decreased from 8.2 (before CEA) to 3.4 at 30 minutes post-anesthesia; at delivery, the VAS increased to 6.9 due to mechanical pressure in the pelvic area; then decreased to 2.5 during perineal suturing. Concerning side effects, during labor, the most common symptoms were chills (32.2%), leg numbness (22.6%), back pain (20%), and nausea (18.2%). However, after 48 hours, most of these symptoms disappeared or significantly decreased, with the low back pain rate reduced to only 9.5% and no serious complications observed.  

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