[Effect and adverse effects of epidural anesthesia during labor. With special reference to changes in the cardiotocogram].

In an Obstetric Department with approximately 2,000 deliveries yearly, offry third mother is delivered under epidural anesthesia. In a group of 600 maternity patients, the effectiveness, the side effects and the changes in the fetal cardiotocogram were examined during labour and delivery under epidural anesthesia. Evaluated were questionnaire to the mothers with mainly subjective impressions, the anesthetic protocol, and the protocol of labour and delivery including the internal cardiotocogram. 85% of the mothers would have a future delivery under an epidural anesthesia. The incidence of headaches and its independence of the type of obstetric analgesia and anesthesia is mentioned. The number of punctures, the technique of epidural anesthesia, the concentration of the local anesthetic used, failures and side effects are described. The incidence of cesarian sections, fetal morbidity and changes in the cardiotocogram are discussed in detail. The incidence of transilent silent decelerations and alarm dips in the cardiotocogram are mentioned. This study shows that epidural anesthesia is free of risks and a highly effective method for the conduct of obstetric analgesia.