Question

In 100 words or more and as an anticipated comfort measure, please discuss at least three benefits and at least three risks of an expectant mother using an epidural during the birthing process.

Thank you.  

Answer 1

Ans). EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA is a popular method of pain relief during labor.More than 50% of women gives birth by using epidural anesthesia in hospitals.

-- Epidural anesthesia is a anesthesia that blocks the pain in a particular region of the body, which leads to total lack of feeling.Epidurals block the nerve impulse from the lower spinal segments.This results in decreased sensation in the lower half of the body.

-- Epidural medications falls into a class of drugs called local anesthesia ​​,such as bupivacaine,chloroprocaine or lidocaine.They are delivered in combination with Narcotics or opioids such as fentanyl and sufentanil for decreasing the dose of local anesthesia.This produces pain relief with minimal effects.These medications may be used in combination with morphine,fentanyl,clonidine or epinephrine to prolong the epidural effect.

BENEFITS OF EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA:--

1) By lowering the discomfort of childbirth,some women have a more positive birth experience.

2) Use of epidural anesthesia during child birth is continually being refined and much of its success depends on the skill with which it is administered.

3) The epidural will allow you to stay alerted and remain an active participant in your birth.

4) epidural can help you dealing with exhaustion,irritability and fatigue.An epidural can help you to rest relax and give you the strength to move forward as an active participant in your birth experience.

5) If the delivery is a cesarean,the epidural anesthesia will help you to stay awake and also provide pain relief.

RISKS OF EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA:--

1) You might feel the side effects like shivering,ringing of the ears,backache,soreness where the needle is inserted,difficulty urinating or nausea.

2) For a few hours after the birth,the lower half of your body may feel numb and the numbness will require you to walk with assistance.

3) sometimes,permanent nerve damage may result in the area where the catheter was inserted.

4) Epidural may cause your blood pressure to suddenly drop.so that your blood pressure will be routinely checked to help ensure an adequate blood flow to your baby and if there is a sudden drop in the blood pressure,you may need to be treated with IV fluids,medications and oxygen.

5) You may feel headache caused by leakage of spinal fluid.less than one percentage of women experience this side effect .If symptoms persist,a procedure called a blood patch which is an injection of your blood into the epidural space can be performed to relieve a headache.