Objective To compare the effectiveness of sufentanil combined with ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine in labor analgesia. Methods A total of 100 full⁃term pregnant women who were admitted to Sichuan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from August 2019 to June 2020 were selected as the subjects. According to the random number table method, the pregnant women were divided into two groups (n=50): a sufentanil combined with ropivacaine (SR) group and a dexmedetomidine com⁃ bined with ropivacaine (DR) group. All pregnant women underwent continuous epidural analgesia for labor analgesia. Both groups were compared for vital signs and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score before and after analgesia. Their delivery process, the volume of blood loss, modified Bromage score 30 min after receiving the pump, newborn Apgar score, and postpartum colostrum time were also com⁃ pared. Meanwhile, the occurrence of adverse reactions during the hospitalization of pregnant women were recorded . Results After analgesia, both groups presented decreases in heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and VAS scores, compared with those before an⁃ algesia (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in heart rate, MAP, respiratory frequency, VAS score, the volume of blood loss and newborn Apgar score between the two groups (P>0.05). The modified Bromage score was 0 for pregnant women in both groups. The DR group showed shortened duration of the second stage of labor than the SR group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in postpar⁃ tum colostrum time between the two groups (P>0.05). The DR group presented decreases the incidence of maternal fever and the over⁃ all incidence of adverse reactions, compared with the SR group (P<0.05). Conclusions The combined use of sufentanil and ropiva⁃ caine has similar analgesic effects with dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine, with similarity in vital signs of pregnant women, the degree of lower limb motor nerve block, the condition of the newborns and lactation. However, dexmedetomidine combined with rop⁃ivacaine can significantly shorten the second stage of labor and reduce the incidence of adverse analgesia during labor, especially in re⁃ ducing the incidence of maternal fever.