Delay in the diagnosis of rupture of the uterus due to epidural anesthesia in labor.

A case report of uterine rupture in labor with epidural anesthesia is presented. The woman had good analgesia on the left side, but complained of severe labor pais on her right side. Uterine rupture occurred which was manifested by sudden vaginal bleeding, fainting, low blood pressure and fetal distress. She did not feel any pains typical of uterine rupture. Rupture of the left uterine wall, with a large hematoma in the left parametrium was seen at surgery. It seems the unilateral anesthesia of the left side concealed the early signs of rupture.