In our study, epidural analgesia was associated with
longer duration of labour. This may have been because
epidural analgesia prolonged labour or because epidural
analgesia was more often used when labour was prolonged.
Previous studies suggest that epidural analgesia prolongs
labour, but this finding has been challenged.3,6–8 Pain relief
may be important for a positive birth experience, in
particular in women who fear childbirth.