Labor Analgesia When Neuraxial Anesthesia Is Relatively Contraindicated: Comparison Of Patient-controlled Fentanyl And Intermittent Nalbuphine Boluses

We implemented a fentanyl PCA protocol to be used in laboring patients where there was an absolute or relative contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia. The goal of our study was to determine if patients utilizing a fentanyl PCA during labor were exposed to any increased risk of adverse outcomes in either the mother or fetus. Our data shows that there were no increased maternal or fetal complications related to use of the fentanyl PCA for labor, compared to our institution's standard method of IV labor pain medication (intermittent Nalbuphine boluses).