Materials and Methods: In this study, 120 healthy primiparous women who were candidates for vaginal delivery were selected. After matching for age and body mass index (BMI), the participants were assigned into two equal groups (n=60 each) of intervention (receiving remifentanil) and control. We compared the duration of active phase of labor at stages I and II, neonatal Apgar scores, and the cesarean section rate between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 23).

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the duration of active phase in the first and second stages of labor (P = 0.84 and P = 0.78, respectively), 1-minute Apgar score (P = 0.95), 5-min Apgar score (P = 0.92), and the rate of cesarean section (P = 0.067). Moreover, we observed no maternal complications with remifentanil.

Conclusions: According to our results, remifentanil did not increase the duration of labor, rate of cesarean section, and maternal complications. Hence, it can be a good alternative in cases where epidural analgesia is contraindicated.