Targeted pain relief during childbirth with epidural analgesia.

Breakthrough Pain During Labor? Discover How Targeted Epidural Injections Can Help

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study explores how strategically placed epidural injections can significantly reduce breakthrough pain during labor, offering valuable insights for expectant mothers."

Labor pain is a significant concern for many expectant mothers. While epidural analgesia is a common and effective method for pain relief, some women experience breakthrough pain, which can diminish the overall birthing experience. Breakthrough pain occurs when the pain relief provided by the epidural becomes insufficient, leading to discomfort and anxiety.

Traditional continuous epidural infusions deliver a steady stream of medication, but this approach may not always address the dynamic nature of labor pain. Recent research has focused on optimizing epidural techniques to provide more targeted and effective pain management. One promising area of investigation is the use of regular intermittent epidural injections (RIEI) combined with different puncture points.

A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology explores how varying the puncture points of epidural injections can impact the effectiveness of pain relief during labor. This article breaks down the findings of this research and discusses how these techniques could potentially improve the labor and delivery experience for women.

Targeted Epidural Injections: How Do Different Puncture Points Impact Pain Relief?

Targeted pain relief during childbirth with epidural analgesia.

The study, conducted by Chunli Wu, Baolin Shi, and Hong Jiang, investigated the clinical effects of regular intermittent epidural injections (RIEI) combined with different puncture points (dPP) in suppressing breakthrough pain during labor analgesia. The researchers aimed to determine if varying the location of the epidural injection could lead to more effective pain management.

Ninety first-time mothers were randomly divided into three groups, each receiving RIEI at different lumbar puncture points:

Group A: L2-3 puncture point
Group B: L3-4 puncture point
Group C: L4-5 puncture point

The analgesic pump parameters were standardized across all groups: impact dose of 8 mL, locking time of 15 minutes, no background dose, and an additional impact dose of 8 mL after each hour. Researchers then monitored and compared the pain levels, breakthrough pain, maximum block segment, motor function, labor duration, and neonatal Apgar scores among the three groups.

Empowering Mothers Through Informed Choices

While the study highlights the potential benefits of targeted epidural injections, it's essential for expectant mothers to discuss their pain management options with their healthcare providers. Understanding the different techniques available and their potential impact can empower women to make informed choices that align with their preferences and needs. The study by Wu, Shi, and Jiang provides valuable insights into optimizing epidural analgesia and offers a promising avenue for future research in labor pain management.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/01443615.2018.1469604, Alternate LINK

Title: Clinical Observation Of Regular Intermittent Epidural Injection Combined With Different Puncture Points In Suppressing Breakthrough Pain In Labour Analgesia

Subject: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Journal: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Chunli Wu, Baolin Shi, Hong Jiang

Published: 2018-11-08

Everything You Need To Know

What is 'breakthrough pain,' and why is it a concern during labor?

The study focuses on addressing 'breakthrough pain,' which occurs when the standard 'epidural analgesia' becomes insufficient during labor, leading to discomfort. The significance lies in improving the birthing experience by minimizing this pain and anxiety. Untreated breakthrough pain can negatively impact a mother's comfort and her perception of the birthing experience.

What specific epidural techniques were investigated in the study?

The primary technique explored in the study involves 'regular intermittent epidural injections (RIEI)' combined with 'different puncture points (dPP)'. This method aims to target pain more effectively than traditional continuous epidural infusions. The implications include potentially improved pain management and a more comfortable labor experience for women. This approach seeks to optimize the effectiveness of epidural analgesia by adjusting where the medication is administered.

How did the study address different injection sites, and which groups were involved?

The study, conducted by 'Chunli Wu', 'Baolin Shi', and 'Hong Jiang', divided ninety first-time mothers into three groups to investigate the impact of varying lumbar puncture points: 'Group A: L2-3 puncture point', 'Group B: L3-4 puncture point', and 'Group C: L4-5 puncture point'. Each group received 'regular intermittent epidural injections (RIEI)' at different locations. This methodology allowed researchers to compare the effectiveness of pain relief based on the specific injection site.

What were the standardized analgesic pump parameters used in the study?

The study standardized analgesic pump parameters across all groups. These included an 'impact dose of 8 mL', a 'locking time of 15 minutes', 'no background dose', and an 'additional impact dose of 8 mL after each hour'. The aim was to ensure consistent drug delivery across different puncture points. These parameters are essential for controlling the amount of medication delivered, which is crucial for the study's validity, allowing researchers to isolate the impact of puncture points on pain management.

How can the findings empower mothers, and what is the significance of this research?

Expectant mothers should discuss pain management with their healthcare providers to make informed choices. Understanding different techniques like 'regular intermittent epidural injections (RIEI)' and the impact of 'different puncture points (dPP)' can empower women. The study by 'Wu, Shi, and Jiang' offers valuable insight into optimizing epidural analgesia and represents a promising avenue for future research, highlighting the importance of tailored pain management during labor.