Impact of Ambulatory Epidural Anesthesia on Maternal Satisfaction and Safety During Childbirth and Postpartum

What this Trial Is About

The research focuses on childbirth, a significant event for women, aiming to assess maternal satisfaction during delivery and postpartum. The study explores how different epidural anesthesia approaches impact womens childbirth experiences, recognizing that negative birth experiences can lead to psychological and physical issues like postpartum depression and chronic pelvic pain. This observational study compares conventional epidural methods to newer ambulatory epidural techniques using modern pharmacological protocols. Participants will be observed during two periods before and after changes in epidural practice. In the before period, women receive conventional epidural anesthesia with local anesthetics and opioids. In the after period, an ambulatory epidural is used, involving lower doses that allow patients to walk while monitored. Both groups follow department protocols. Women complete the Childbirth Assessment Questionnaire QEVA 2 days after birth and again 4 weeks postpartum to provide feedback on their delivery and postpartum experience. During the study, participants childbirth experiences are captured by the QEVA questionnaire administered in hospital and via phone. Researchers assess maternal satisfaction, relationships with nursing staff, early mother-child bonding, and safety factors such as delivery room time, instrumental extraction needs, emergency cesarean rates, spontaneous urination ability, and ambulation safety. The study spans from delivery through 4 weeks postpartum, gathering detailed feedback and safety data to evaluate the impact of epidural techniques on maternal outcomes.

Evaluation of the Impact of Ambulatory Epidural on Maternal Satisfaction During Delivery and Postpartum