 Some women find bearing the pain of childbirth an enriching experience, but many find it unbearable and choose to have an epidural that provides pain relief to help the birth of their baby go more smoothly.
What is an epidural?
An epidural is a local anaethetic administered during childbirth to women who don't want to give birth to their baby in pain. It is injected into the epidural space that surrounds the spinal cord and numbs the nerves that lead to the lesser pelvis only.
When and how is it administered?
When your contractions start to become painful, the doctor will give you an injection in the back while you either lie on your side or sit on the bed. The needle is inserted between two vertebrae to reach the epidural space which surrounds the spinal cord. A tube is then inserted into the needle, the needle removed and the anaesthetic injected. Your blood pressure and heartbeat are monitored throughout. The pain caused by contractions lessens within 10-15 minutes.
Useful information
- Like any anaesthetic, an epidural requires the presence of an anaesthetist. Ideally you should see an anesthetist before the birth so that he or she knows your medical history and can ascertain whether there are any medical objections to you having an epidural.
- You can have an epidural up until the point at which the neck of the uterus is 6 or 7 centimetres dilated; it can pretty much be decided upon at the last minute.
- Any woman can have an epidural unless it's not advised for medical reasons (fever, an infection in the area to be injected, coagulation problems (bleeding disorders) or neurological illness).
- Episiotomies and stitches are painless under the influence of an epidural.
- You can give birth by Caesarian section under epidural without a general anaesthetic (unless you specifically ask for one).
Advantages
- Epidurals make birth more smooth, less tiring, and easier for the dad-to-be if you're visibly in less pain.
- You remain conscious and all your muscles function as normal; only the transmission of pain is blocked.
- You recover more quickly and can be on your feet again 4 - 5 hours after the birth.
Drawbacks
There can be side effects, most of which are benign. Serious accidents are extremely rare, as are complications; they can be caused by inflammation of tissue damaged by the injection or infection from a hospital bug. The drug can also trigger allergies or intolerances. Sometimes minor inflammation of the meninges (the membranes that envelop the central nervous system) can occur and cause pain when you stretch your back. This disappears within a few months.
The common fear of paralysis is completely unfounded: the epidural is injected around, not into, the spinal cord. Either the spinal cord or a large amount of nerves have to be destroyed to cause paralysis, and there is no possibility of this happening the way epidurals are injected.
Alternative ways of coping with the pain of giving birth
To help bear the pain, midwives may recommend sophrology, haptonomy, acupuncture and massage. General anaesthetics are also possible, but they are rarely used because they take away the experience of giving birth.
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Epidurals
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