Objective: This study focused on evaluating maternal satisfaction with epidural analgesia in obstetric settings in Saudi Arabia. It aimed to analyze factors influencing effectiveness and satisfaction, considering issues such as postoperative pain, nausea, and varying pain relief needs.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from pregnant women in Saudi Arabian obstetric settings using a structured online questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed maternal satisfaction with epi dural anesthesia and related factors.
Results: This study involved 599 participants, 222 of whom were excluded because they had not experienced epidural anesthesia. The majority of the remaining 377 women were Saudi nationals (n = 336, 89.1%) aged 31-40 years (n = 183, 48.5%), with university-level education (n = 300, 79.6%). Most patients were satisfied with the epidural’s effectiveness during labor (n = 325, 86.2%). However, 61.8% (n = 233) reported side effects such as back pain (67.4%). Logistic regression showed that older women had marginally better pain relief (p-value = 0.054), whereas delays in administration reduced effectiveness p-value = 0.006). First-time pregnancy was associated with more effective analgesia (p-value = 0.030). Side effects slightly reduced satisfaction (p-value = 0.070), but no significant associations were found with sociodemographic factors, such as age or education.
Conclusion: There was a high overall satisfaction with epidural anesthesia among Saudi women, particularly during labor. However, side effects, particularly back pain, were common. Factors such as age, timing, and employment status influenced effectiveness, whereas side effects slightly reduced satisfaction.
Key words: Epidural analgesia, obstetric, Saudi Arabia, pregnant women, labor
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