Background: The pain of childbirth is arguably the most severe pain women will endure in their lifetime. Since pain relief in labor has always been surrounded with myths and controversies, providing effective and safe analgesia during labor have remained an ongoing challenge. In our study we did the comparison of minimum volume and dose of epidural levobupivacaine 0.125%w/v and 0.25%w/v with fentanyl for labor analgesia. Objectives: To assess the minimum volume and dose of epidural levobupivacaine 0.125% & 0.25% with fentanyl for labor analgesia, to compare maternal analgesia, progress of labor, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and maternal side effects in both groups. Methods: After obtaining institutional ethics committee approval a prospective observational study was performed on 48 parturients consenting for labor analgesia and receiving continous doses of formulated drug. Parturients were divided into two groups. Group 1 received 0.125% levobupivacaine with 2 microgram/ml fentanyl and group 2 received 0.25% levobupivacaine with 2 microgram/ml fentanyl. For analysis purpose, data collected from 24 parturients who received 0.125% levobupivacaine with fentanyl were listed in group 1 and 0.25% levobupivacaine with fentanyl in group 2 respectively. Statistical analysis was done using computer software SPSS version-18. Student’s t-test and Chi-square test were used and p <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The total volume of drug required in group 1 was more compared to group 2. The total dose of drug used in group 1 was less compared to group 2. Motor blockade was more in group 2 parturients and were associated with assisted delivery. Number of top-up boluses given were more in group 1 compared to group 2. Maternal satisfaction, heart rate, foetal heart rate, progress of labor, neonatal outcome, maternal side effects were comparable in both groups and was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In our study 0.125% levobupivacaine can produce same analgesia with a 24% increase in volume and 45 % reduction in dose when compared with 0.25 % levobupivacaine.

Background: The pain of childbirth is arguably the most severe pain women will endure in their lifetime. Since pain relief in labor has always been surrounded with myths and controversies, providing effective and safe analgesia during labor have remained an ongoing challenge. In our study we did the comparison of minimum volume and dose of epidural levobupivacaine 0.125%w/v and 0.25%w/v with fentanyl for labor analgesia. Objectives: To assess the minimum volume and dose of epidural levobupivacaine 0.125% & 0.25% with fentanyl for labor analgesia, to compare maternal analgesia, progress of labor, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and maternal side effects in both groups. Methods: After obtaining institutional ethics committee approval a prospective observational study was performed on 48 parturients consenting for labor analgesia and receiving continous doses of formulated drug. Parturients were divided into two groups. Group 1 received 0.125% levobupivacaine with 2 microgram/ml fentanyl and group 2 received 0.25% levobupivacaine with 2 microgram/ml fentanyl. For analysis purpose, data collected from 24 parturients who received 0.125% levobupivacaine with fentanyl were listed in group 1 and 0.25% levobupivacaine with fentanyl in group 2 respectively. Statistical analysis was done using computer software SPSS version-18. Student’s t-test and Chi-square test were used and p <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The total volume of drug required in group 1 was more compared to group 2. The total dose of drug used in group 1 was less compared to group 2. Motor blockade was more in group 2 parturients and were associated with assisted delivery. Number of top-up boluses given were more in group 1 compared to group 2. Maternal satisfaction, heart rate, foetal heart rate, progress of labor, neonatal outcome, maternal side effects were comparable in both groups and was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In our study 0.125% levobupivacaine can produce same analgesia with a 24% increase in volume and 45 % reduction in dose when compared with 0.25 % levobupivacaine.