Effects of Epidural Analgesia on Plasma Catecholamines and Cortisol in Parturition
Abstract
To assess the effect of epidural block on plasma catecholamines and cortisol during labour and delivery, plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol levels were determined in 26 healthy parturients, all of whom delivered vaginally (18 received an epidural block, eight had meperidine 50 mg intramuscularly). We found a significant drop of plasma epinephrine and cortisol and no significant reduction of plasma norepinephrine l h after administration of epidural block compared to preblock values. Observing the data during the whole course of labour in correlation with cervical dilatation, in the control group, where the parturients received meperidine, all hormones rose progressively up to the moment of delivery. One hour after delivery the catecholamines returned to normal levels; cortisol returned more slowly. In the epidural group the increase of plasma epinephrine and cortisol was significantly inhibited but not that of norepinephrine.
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Epidural analgesia is associated with substantial reductions in labor pain, improved maternal satisfaction, and attenuation of maternal and neonatal physiologic stress responses associated with childbirth.
“Epidural analgesia is the most common neuraxial modality and is associated with substantial reductions in labor pain, improved maternal satisfaction, and attenuation of maternal and neonatal physiologic stress responses associated with childbirth.3,21,22”
Labor pain is among the most intense forms of pain experienced in a woman's life and can produce significant physiological and psychological stress.
“Labor pain is among the most intense forms of pain experienced in a woman’s life and can produce significant physiological and psychological stress.3,4”
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Stocche, R. (2001) · Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine · doi:10.1053/rapm.2001.27851 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Fagan, J., Dufour, S., Duet, S., Downs, E., Siddaiah, H., Viswanath, O., Shekoohi, S., & Kaye, A. (2026) · Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment · doi:10.2147/ndt.s579920
- Authors
- Neumark, J., Hammerle, A. F., & Biegelmayer, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Vienna (AT)
- Corresponding author
- Neumark, J.
- Venue
- Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1985-08
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 555-559
- ISSN
- 0001-5172 (ISSN-L)
- 1399-6576
- OpenAlex
- W2007379484
- Cited by
- 50
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Anesthesia and Pain Management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Opioid Use
- Keywords
- epidural analgesia, childbirth, labour, plasma catecholamines, epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, pethidine, cervical dilatation
- MeSH terms
- Anesthesia, Epidural, Anesthesia, Obstetrical, Catecholamines, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Labor, Obstetric, Meperidine, Pregnancy
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