Morau E, Jaillet M, Storme B, et al. - In this multicentre study including 298 nulliparous patients in spontaneous labour from four level III maternity units, researchers investigated if the use of programmed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEB) vs patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with a background infusion would result in improvement of the mechanics of second-stage labour. A total of 298 patients were randomised. Data were analyzed from 249 patients (124 PIEB, 125 PCEA). Findings revealed no difference in the mechanics of the second stage between those who received PIEB vs those who were administered PCEA. PIEB seemed to provide superior analgesic conditions, particularly at full dilation.