The Randomised Epidural Analgesia in Term Delivering Women Trial (TREAT)

\* The objective of the study: to assess the impact of a proactive policy of offering EA at the start of labour as compared to a restrictive policy or care as usual. \* Study design: It concerns a multicentre randomised open label trial. \* Study population: Term nulliparous and multiparous women with a child in cephalic presentation, and without contraindications for vaginal labour or EA. \* Intervention: Women will be allocated to the EA group or the care-as-usual group. In the EA group, women are given an EA as soon as they are in labour. In the care-as-usual (restrictive) group, women receive pain relief only on their explicit request.