Plasma levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone and catecholamines in spontaneous primigravid labour

Summary

Plasma ACTH and catecholamine levels were measured in the first stage of labour in forty-three primigravid women in whom labour had started spontaneously. Plasma ACTH Levels rose in most women during the first stage, while plasma catecholamines did not change significantly. Women administered epidural analgesia did not have a rise in plasma ACTH. Women who needed minimal analgesia had a smaller rise in ACTH than those who received pethidine. There was no relationship between raised ACTH or raised catecholamines and delay in the first stage of labour.