A Randomized Control Study to Compare the Efficacy Between 0.2% Ropivacaine and 0.15% Ropivacaine for Epidural Analgesia During Labor

Background: Effective pain relief during labor is essential to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and to prevent unnecessary cesarean deliveries prompted by maternal anxiety. While both 0.2% and 0.15% concentrations of ropivacaine have demonstrated efficacy in labor analgesia, limited data exist from the Indian subcontinent comparing their effectiveness. Aim: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of 0.15% versus 0.2% ropivacaine for labor epidural analgesia. Objectives: To assess the analgesic efficacy of 0.15% and 0.2% ropivacaine during the first and second stages of labor and to evaluate the incidence of instrumental deliveries, cesarean sections, motor blockade, the need for additional analgesia, and medical interventions. Materials and Methods: In this open-label randomized controlled trial, 205 parturient women were randomly assigned to receive either 0.15% or 0.2% ropivacaine. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Compared to the 0.15% concentration, 0.2% ropivacaine was associated with a faster onset of motor blockade ( P < 0.001) and a higher incidence of motor block and instrumental deliveries ( P = 0.009). Both concentrations provided equivalent analgesia. Conclusion: The use of 0.2% ropivacaine is linked to a faster onset and higher incidence of motor blockade, along with a greater likelihood of instrumental deliveries and inadequate maternal pushing efforts.