Labor Analgesia in GDM Parturients Prolongs Labor, Increases Temperature and Lacerations, but Reduces Pain

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects a significant number of pregnancies, posing risks to both mother and neonate, including macrosomia, preeclampsia, and increased rates of cesarean section. While labor analgesia is widely used for pain management, its specific effects on labor progression and maternal-neonatal outcomes in GDM parturients remain unclear. Current guidelines often focus on glycemic control, but the physiological stress of labor and pain management strategies can influence glucose metabolism and delivery complications. Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing clinical interventions and improving outcomes for this vulnerable population. This study addresses the gap in evidence regarding the comprehensive impact of labor analgesia in GDM.

Researchers retrospectively analyzed 201 GDM parturients from Beilun District People's Hospital between January 2023 and December 2024. Participants were divided into an observation group (labor analgesia, n = 111) and a control group (routine delivery, n = 90). The labor analgesia group included both epidural analgesia (EP) and combined spinal-epidural analgesia (CSEA). Maternal clinical data, labor duration, delivery mode, maximum intrapartum temperature, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal Apgar scores were compared. Statistical analyses included independent sample t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared tests, and Chi-squared correction.