Breech delivery and epidural analgesia

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Abstract
Objective To examine the effect of epidural analgesia on the progress and outcome of spontaneous labour in women with a singleton breech presentation at term (3=37 weeks).Design A retrospective study.Setting Data Bank, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.Subjects 643 women (273 primiparae and 370 multiparae) with a singleton breech presentation and spontaneous onset of labour at term.Outcome measures Duration of labour; augmentation of labour with oxytocin infusion; caesarean section rates.Results Epidural analgesia was associated with a significantly increased need for augmentation of labour with oxytocin infusion (PConclusion Epidural analgesia was associated with longer duration of labour, increased need for augmentation of labour with oxytocin infusion and a significantly higher caesarean section rate in the second stage of labour.