INTRODUCTION
Labour is a physiologic process during which foetus, membranes, umbilical cord, and placenta are expelled from uterus. Many factors are involved in labour and are associated with unique experience by every woman. Pain during labour is highest ranked among all other pains experienced in life.1 Untreated labour pain leads to chronic pain, post-partum stress syndrome, and psychological and physiological consequences which are undesirable. Pain and anxiety causes release of adrenaline which results in prolonged labour and the increase in the level of noradrenaline by 25%, uterine blood flow decreases by 50%. Maternal cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance and oxygen demand will be increased.2 Labour is a natural phenomenon which produces intolerable pain that requires effective methods for pain relief which is often challenging and complex task without regional analgesia.3 Labour pain management during delivery plays an important role in woman’s satisfaction.4 Pain is originated from cervix during first stage of labour .The pressure on perineum by the descending foetus causes additional pain during late first stage. It causes stretching, distension and tearing of pelvic fascia, subcutaneous tissues and muscles of the perineum.5 Painful stimuli from cervix and lower uterine segment are transmitted to tenth, eleventh, and twelfth thoracic and first lumbar spinal portions via sympathetic nerve fibres after entering the spinal cord.8 Sensory impulses from vagina and perineum carried to second, third and fourth spinal segments via pudental nerves. Additionally, pressure on a single or more root base of the lumbo sacral plexus causes hurting, burning, or distress in the lower limbs and back. 9Lumbar epidural analgesia is most widely accepted method used to reduce labour pain. This involves blocking of painful senses by injecting local anaesthetic into lower region of spine.11It is usually very effective and very safe.