The Cutaneous Sympathetic Blockade Associated With Labour Epidural Analgesia: A Quasi-experimental Study Conducted During Labour and After Delivery

Key Points

• The study aims to understand how labor epidural analgesia impacts sympathetic nervous system activity and maternal body temperature regulation during labor.
• Conducted a quasi-experimental design with laboring individuals receiving epidural analgesia.
• Monitored changes in maternal core temperature throughout labor and after delivery.
• Analyzed effects on cholinergic and noradrenergic sympathetic function.
• Identified an association between epidural analgesia and increased maternal hyperthermia.
• Found that labor epidural analgesia may suppress sympathetic functions related to heat dissipation.
• Reported potential risks for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes linked to elevated core temperatures.