Contrary to popular belief, epidural painkilling medication does not slow down labour for pregnant women, according to a US study. The second stage of labour begins when the cervix is completely dilated and ends when the baby is delivered. But the results of the study showed that epidural or not, labour lasted just about as long. Nor did epidural medication have any effect on the health of the newborn babies, the normal vaginal delivery rate, the position of the foetus at birth or any other measure of foetal well-being, said the report. “We didn’t see any negative effects, but epidural analgesia in the second stage of labour remains controversial and merits follow up studies.”Follow @htlifeandstyle for more

Source: Hindustan Times October 11, 2017 04:07 UTC