The course of fear, pain and stress hormones differed throughout labor in women with and without EDA. Pain and
cortisol increased throughout labor in women without EDA. Women who received EDA had more fear, but not more pain,
before the administration of the EDA than women who did not receive EDA. Pain, fear and catecholamines decreased when
women received EDA, but fear and pain increased again later in labor. Fear and pain correlated, as well as levels of fear in the
different phases of labor. During phase one of labor epinephrine and duration of the phase were negatively correlated.
Conclusion. The course of fear, pain and concentrations of stress hormones differed, highly influenced by the administration
of EDA. Fear and pain correlated more pronounced than stress hormones and fear, pain and duration of labor