Childbirth

Explaining Epidural Anesthesia

An Epidural anesthesia is a medical procedure that relieves the pain while you are in labor but allows you to be fully awake to see the birth of your baby. Most doctors prefer this method as it is safe for both mother and baby.

The procedure is quite simple. Between the vertebrae in an area called the epidural space, a needle is placed. A small tube or catheter is put through the needle and into the epidural space. The tube will be taped and left in place, so you can receive medication for pain. The medication allows your pelvic muscles to relax and the nerves are not as sensitive to pain. You will still feel the pressure of the baby and the urge to push, but the intense pain will be gone. The tube will be removed once you have given birth to your baby. You will be able to enjoy labor as much as you possible can because the amount of pain that you will be feeling will be considerably less.

As with all types of medications, there are side effects that can occur. With an epidural anesthesia, the most common risks or side effects include a drop in blood pressure of the mother, allergic reactions to the medication, and the slowing of the process of labor. The myth that epidural anesthesia increases the chances of having a forceps delivery or a c-section, is just that a myth. There is no reason to believe in this old wives tale.

Some of the other short-term side effects that have been noted by some women after receiving an epidural anesthesia include nausea, vomiting, shivering, hypotension, prolonged labor, incomplete pain relief, the feeling of being detached, convulsions, toxic drug reactions, and headache. They also include on this list cardiac arrest, septic meningitis, respiratory insufficiency and death.

Long-term effects have been noted as backache that can last for years, harder post-partum, incontinence with bowels and urine, loss of perineal sensation.