Intrathecal morphine as analgesia for labor pain.

In this descriptive study of intrathecal morphine sulfate used for pain control during labor, 49 parturients received morphine intrathecally, 78 were administered butorphanol tartrate (Stadol), and 34 received no analgesia. Significant differences for the intrathecal group included: (1) decreased requirement of nitrous oxide for delivery, (2) lower number of doses of postpartum intramuscular pain medication, and (3) increased use of forceps. The intrathecal morphine group showed no prolongation of labor and no major side effects in mothers or newborns. The results suggest that the use of lower levels of intrathecal morphine sulfate (0.5 mg) is as safe and effective as the more traditional intravenous analgesia for labor.