The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of intrathecal hydromorphone on the duration of labor analgesia and the incidence of epidural-associated temperature increase in laboring parturients. We hypothesize that intrathecal administration of longer-acting hydromorphone will: 1. Prolong the duration and improve the quality of analgesia in labor, and 2. Decrease the incidence of epidural-associated temperature increase in labor.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
21
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Effect on maternal temperature during labor
The primary outcome measure will be the incidence of maternal temperature increase, defined as an increase in maternal temperature by 1 degree celsius over the baseline temperature recorded prior to the onset of epidural analgesia.
Time frame: 2 years
Effect on efficacy of labor analgesia
The secondary outcome measure will be the duration of intrathecal analgesia. Additional outcome measures include the quality of analgesia as recorded by the Visual Analogue Scale score and the need for additional top-ups within 90 min of epidural placement.
Time frame: 2 years
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