Patient controlled epidural analgesia during labor: Protocol for a scoping review

BACKGROUND: Childbirth remains one of the most painful experiences for women. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia provides the women in labor with self-control and thereby a shorter time interval between onset of pain and administration of analgesia, thus potentially improving the childbirth experience. This scoping review aims to investigate PCEA during labor involving maternal satisfaction, risks of adverse effects and obstetric interventions by mapping the evidence and identifying gaps in the current evidence base.

METHODS: The forthcoming review will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. A systematic search will be carried out across major peer-reviewed databases and gray literature will be sought. All study types involving women in labor receiving PCEA will be eligible for inclusion. The extracted data will be charted regarding trial characteristics, population/participation characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and key findings.

RESULTS: The results will be presented through relevant tables, figures, and graphs when appropriate. Alongside this, we present the data descriptively to explain how the results align with the objectives of the review.

CONCLUSION: PCEA offers women greater autonomy during childbirth, making it essential to examine its effects and potential risks. By mapping current evidence regarding PCEA, this review aims to identify knowledge gaps and provide insights to enhance maternal care and improve childbirth experiences.