ROLE 0F INTRAMUSCULAR TRAMADOL IN LABOUR ANALGESIA.

Background: Several methods have been developed for labour analgesia out of which use of intramuscular analgesia is emerging as a good choice. Objective: To study the role of intramuscular tramadol in labour analgesia. Materials and methods: In this study 100 pregnant women over a period of one year , with preselected inclusion and exclusion criteria were studied , during active stage of labour. Degree of pain relief , mode of delivery and maternal and perinatal outcome , after administration of intramuscular tramadol , was noted. Results: Mean age of patients in the study was 26.5?4.63 years. 58% had moderate pain , 16% mild pain and 26 % had no pain after the drug was administered.78% delivered by normal vaginal delivery ,12% by caesarean section and 10% by instrumental delivery. Nausea and vomiting was most frequent (22%) maternal side effect of tramadol. Mean apgar score at 5 minutes of birth was 7.2?0.98 Conclusion: Intramuscular tramadol is a significant pain reliever during labour with minimal side effects.