In other hospitals, the bladder is drained with a catheter as needed. Epidurals are known to be very safe and any serious complications or side effects that arise are extremely rare. Very little medication is needed to numb and block the pain with an epidural, which makes it one of the safest methods of pain control during labor and delivery.
The epidural needle is wider than the one used for flu shots and usually three and a half inches long. The needle is removed, leaving a fine, flexible catheter in its place through which the drug is delivered.
The tube is taped to your back so you can move from side to side. Three to five minutes after the initial dose, the nerves of the uterus begin to numb and after about 10 minutes, you'll feel the full effect, though it can take 15 or 20 minutes for some women.
The medication numbs you from the bottom of your ribcage down, making it hard to feel any contractions at all. And that's the point! If you end up having a C-section later in your labor, the amount of medication will be bumped up so you'll no longer be able to feel your lower half at all. Some women report feeling pressure, tingling or momentary shooting pain when the epidural is being administered. If you're lucky and many women are , you might not feel a thing.
Besides, compared to the pain of contractions , any discomfort from a needle poke is likely to be pretty minimal.
A combined spinal-epidural or epidural block are commonly known as a "walking epidural. Both of these types of epidurals are different from the epidural you would receive during a C-section, which is a much higher dose and doesn't allow for movement of the legs.
The anesthesiologist will start you off with a shot of analgesic directly into the spinal fluid to help relieve some pain. But because the medication is delivered only in the spinal fluid, you'll still be able to feel and use the muscles in your legs.
When you need more pain relief, more medication is placed into the epidural space through a catheter inserted at the same time the spinal medication is given. You likely will still have some sensation, but you'll feel removed from it. One study found that epidurals may up your labor by two hours whether it's your first baby or not.
Happily, studies show that an early epidural doesn't increase your risk of C-section. Likewise, the medication can be bumped up post-delivery as your doctor repairs any perineal tears. Should your labor slow at any point, you might receive Pitocin to get your contractions up to speed. The numbness you may feel in your legs can linger until the medication wears off, which is usually within about eight hours. The only thing I learned about myself was this: I really don't like extreme pain.
And yes, after talking to "natural birth" moms , I do acknowledge that my perception of the pain could have been affected by listening to all those stories passed around our culture about the agonies of childbirth.
But you know what? It just didn't matter that much to me. Achieving a powerful, organic birth experience was not as high on my list of priorities as having a comfortable delivery, which in my case meant having an epidural.
The thing that really bothers moms like me who opt for medicated births is the idea that this kind of scenario is somehow second-rate. Medicated-birth moms reject the idea that their kind of childbirth can't be as rewarding as a "natural birth. After I spent a very unpleasant hour or so on Stadol, my doctor finally agreed to page the anesthesiologist, who gave me the epidural. After one or two more contractions, the pain was gone. It was almost dawn, and the sun coming up outside my window was the perfect metaphor for the way my mood changed from darkness to delight.
Before the epidural, I couldn't even look at my husband, Jeremy. As soon as I relaxed, so did he. Now I was able to lie back peacefully and hold his hand while he read me the recap of last night's Mets game. I was able to think about the baby and shake off the miserable persona I had unwillingly taken on.
I reverted to my happy-go-lucky self—and that was the person who I thought should greet my baby when she entered the world. The price I paid for that transformation was that in the dozen more hours that I labored, I was subjected to a steady stream of interventions: Pitocin , an internal fetal monitor, a catheter.
It's true that these interventions made me a prisoner of my hospital bed, but hey, I wasn't going anywhere anyway. I had the newspaper, my husband, a TV, and a telephone. I was perfectly happy to stay put. And then, just after 7 p. The whole crazy debate comes down to this: We are all becoming parents, and if a mom-to-be will feel more triumphant and healthy and ready to tackle motherhood after a "natural birth," then she should absolutely go forward with a "natural birth.
With each epidural we are putting tremendous stress on a baby, in favor of comfort for the mother. Imagine you are trying to get out of that small space, and someone practically suffocated you, for HOURS, while you were trying to escape Thereafter, due to your mother choosing her own comfort over your wellbeing, and instinctively knowing what she did was wrong, she continues seeking other ways to make herself a priority over the well being of her children There is no such thing as pregnant people.
I love this article. Especially being a first time mom, and not having one to talk to about these things. It gives a great perspective of both ways of doing things. I think as mothers we need to be more supportive of each other's decisions. Wonderful read. Thank you! The Pros and Cons of Epidurals vs. By Jennifer L. Save Pin FB More. Pain relief during labor , which begins after about minutes Allows the mother-to-be to stay relaxed, alert, and stress-free If you change your mind about your "natural birth" plan during labor, you can usually still get an epidural It's generally safe and effective.
Some studies link epidurals with a greater chance of needing risky interventions during delivery forceps and vacuum extraction, emergency C-section , etc. Short-term low blood pressure for mother Side effects like fever, headaches, nausea, dizziness, backache, etc. Potential prolonging of the delivery process Pushing may be more difficult Increased risk of perineal tearing Lower body becomes numb, which limits movement during labor Potential need for a urinary catheter Infection or spinal injury from epidural needle although this is extremely rare.
Faster recovery after birth Less vaginal tearing, since you'll push instinctively during delivery Shorter pushing time Ability to change birthing positions Decreased risk of needing risky interventions Some women feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment Avoid side effects associated with epidurals Ability to bond and breastfeed immediately.
Must manage pain without medical assistance Physical pain might detract from the experience of childbirth "Natural birth" may not be possible for women with high-risk pregnancies Due to medical reasons, the pregnant person may need interventions or drugs anyway Potential for prolonged labor if the mother is tired, anxious, or stressed In the case of "natural home births," the mother or baby may not have access to medical equipment in case of emergency.
Fink, Marisa Cohen, and Nicole Harris. Comments 4. Generally, this means that labor starts on its own, rather than inducing it, and letting the process run its course with minimal intervention. The anesthetic is usually delivered in a continuous flow or a repeatable dose, in order to keep your comfort consistent throughout labor. Epidurals are one of the most common pain medications used during childbirth. Since natural childbirth typically focuses on minimizing medication and intervention, one of the benefits is the potential for less side effects for you and your baby.
The biggest drawback of a natural or unmedicated birth is, of course, laboring and delivering without the help of pain medication. Every birth progresses at its own pace, and every person will experience both the beauty and the pain in their own way. If you have certain medical conditions or your pregnancy has been deemed high risk, your care team may recommend against a natural birth in order to ensure the safety of you and your baby.
The biggest benefit of an epidural is undoubtedly pain relief during labor and through delivery. After the 10 to 20 minutes needed for an epidural to take effect, many individuals find that an epidural provides them with an easier, less stressful birth experience. Complications are uncommon, but some individuals may experience things like headaches or nausea.
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