When epidural pain relief doesn't work during labor
Analysis of the Incidence and Risk Factors of Epidural Analgesia Failure During Labor: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study
It will follow people aged 18 and older who request epidural pain relief during labor to see how often the epidural doesn't provide adequate pain control and which factors predict failure.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Madrid and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07473609 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective multicenter observational study taking place at two Madrid university hospitals with recruitment from January 12, 2026 to February 12, 2027. Adults who request epidural analgesia in labor and consent to participation are enrolled, while patients under 18, those with stillbirth, those receiving continuous spinal anesthesia, or those who refuse are excluded. The primary aim is to calculate the incidence of epidural analgesia failure during labor; secondary aims include identifying potential risk factors for failure, documenting failure rates for emergency cesarean anesthesia, and measuring maternal postpartum recovery at 24 and 48 hours using the Spanish ObsQoR-10. No interventions are assigned because the study observes routine clinical care and outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18 years and older) in labor who request epidural analgesia and agree to participate at one of the participating hospitals.
Not a fit: People under 18, those with stillbirth, those receiving continuous spinal anesthesia, and anyone who declines to participate are not eligible and would not directly benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians identify patients at higher risk of failed epidural and improve pain-management decisions during labor.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies have reported variable rates of epidural analgesia failure and have identified some risk factors, so this study builds on existing clinical evidence rather than testing a new treatment.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Parturient who requests epidural analgesia for labor Exclusion Criteria: * Age under 18 years * Stillbirth * Continuous spinal anesthesia * Refusal to participate
Where this trial is running
Madrid and 1 other locations
- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón — Madrid, Spain (Recruiting)
- Hospital Universitario La Paz — Madrid, Spain (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nicolas Brogly, MD, PhD
- Email: nicolas.brogly@salud.madrid.org
- Phone: +34 663676820
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.