Overview

Combined spinal-epidural (CSE) is an established technique for providing labour analgesia to obstetric patients which provides rapid onset but unsustained analgesia. The epidural catheter can be used to extend and provide continuous pain relief, however during single-segment needle-through-needle CSE, the catheter is untested. This study aims to confirm placement of epidural catheters of anesthesia through the epidural stimulation test (EST) which was first described by the PI of the study for confirming placement of epidural catheters approximately 20 years ago.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Females, 18 years and older
• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II
• Full-term pregnancy with request for epidural early in labour (i.e. Regular labor or C-Section)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindication to regional anesthesia
• Allergy or hypersensitivity to lidocaine, bupivacaine, or fentanyl
• Use of sedatives or opioids
• Abnormal vertebrae anatomy
• Neurological disorder with lumbar involvement
• Implanted electronic devices