Epidural Morphine Following Vaginal Delivery

Pain Clinical Trial

Official title: Epidural Morphine Following Vaginal Delivery: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The investigators believe that pain management following a vaginal delivery can be improved. Many women receive epidural medication during labor and delivery, and the investigators felt that using the epidural following delivery might improve the first day pain. This study is to determine whether a single dose of epidural morphine given to mothers after a vaginal delivery will reduce the perineal pain in the postpartum period.

Clinical Trial Description

Vaginal deliveries comprise 80-85% of all deliveries. Although this is felt to be natural and safe, this route can be associated with significant perineal trauma and subsequent postpartum perineal pain. The degree of perineal trauma varies from the minimum of vaginal stretching and distension associated with labor, to episiotomy and significant perineal tears. In spite of the differences in the degree of injury following vaginal delivery, postpartum pain therapy is poorly organized and at best consists of simple analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. The purpose of this study is to determine if a single dose of epidural-administered morphine offers additional advantage to an organized program for the management of immediate postpartum perineal pain following vaginal delivery. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Prevention

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Pain

• NCT number: NCT00803114
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: March 2002
• Completion date: February 2005