Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess and compare follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in normal fertile females, patients with primary infertility, and patients with early pregnancy loss (EPL). Methods: Patients were divided into three groups of 25 each. Group I consisted of patients of primary infertility, Group II consisted of patients of EPL, and Group C consisted of normal fertile females and acted as the control group. Hormone levels in different groups were compared statistically. Results: FSH levels in the infertility group (Group I) and control group (Group C) were similar (p>0.05). The difference between the FSH levels of EPL (Group II) and the control group (Group C) was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between LH levels of the infertility group (Group I), EPL (Group II), and control group (Group C) (p<0.05). The difference between prolactin levels of the infertility group (Group I), EPL (Group II), and control group (Group C) was also statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference between the TSH levels of the infertility group (Group I), EPL (Group II), and control group (Group C) was also statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study supports the fact that women with infertility and repeated abortions have altered hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis as compared to fertile women.

Objectives: This study was carried out to compare intermittent bolus and continuous infusion for epidural labor analgesia in terms of total dose requirement of local anesthetic and quality of analgesia as primary objective. Secondary objective was level of sensory block, motor block, hemodynamic variables, mode of delivery, duration of second stage, neonatal outcome, side effects, and postpartum complications. Methods: Eighty women of ASA physical status I or II, with single pregnancy, cephalic presentation and cervical dilatation 3–5 cm, that is, during active labor were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In Group A, a bolus of 8 ml of 0.1% levobupivacaine (plain) with fentanyl 2 mcg/ml was given every hour and in Group B, an infusion of 0.1% levobupivacaine (plain) with fentanyl 2 mcg/ml at 8 ml/h was given. Pain scores using visual analog scale and verbal rating score, additional bolus requirement and total dose of local anesthetic, motor blockade, fetal and neonatal outcome, mode of delivery, and duration of second stage were recorded and compared. Side effects and postpartum complications if any were documented. Results: Additional bolus requirement and total dose of local anesthetic were significantly high in Group B (45.60±6.67 mg) as compared to Group A (34.20±5.58 mg). There was no difference in the quality of analgesia, neonatal outcome, mode of delivery, duration of second stage, side effects, and complications. Conclusion: Intermittent epidural bolus is better in terms of less drug consumption and less number of additional bolus requirement.