Epidural For Pain-Free Labor: Benefits & Risks

The process of delivering a baby can be quite painful for mothers. In some cases, if the patient’s health allows, and the doctor thinks it is safe, they may choose to administer an epidural to the mother to provide her with some relief. But what is an epidural? When can it be given? What are the side-effects? This blog tries to deal with some questions.

Epidural is a popular and common form of anesthesia that is administered to provide relief from pain during labor. It usually numbs the pain in a particular part of the body but does not lead to a total loss of feeling.  Once the epidural is given, the lower half of the body loses sensation, making the process of delivering the baby easier for the mother.
 

How is an Epidural Given?

You begin to receive Intravenous (IV) fluids before active labor begins and the epidural procedure has started. An epidural requires you to arch your back and stay still since this position is crucial for the effectiveness of the epidural. The waistline area is wiped with an antiseptic to minimize risks of infection. Your obstetrician will locate a specific area on your back and numb it with a local anesthetic. She will further inject a needle in the lower back area around the spine that has been numbed. The epidural reduces pain, numbness and other complaints that are caused by inflammation, irritation, and swelling during childbirth. [Read: Lower Back Pain Causes & Relief Exercises]

Benefits of an Epidural

If you are looking to know about epidural benefits, side-effects etc? Here we tried to list out benefits of epidural. Read this...

• Childbirth is an exhausting procedure and an epidural reduces the anxiety during this time and gives a positive birthing experience to new mothers.
• If the labor is prolonged, an epidural provides the much-needed rest.
• During C-section surgeries, an epidural allows the mother to actively participate in her birth by remaining alert.
• It helps to cope with fatigue, irritability, and exhaustion during the childbirth process.
   

Risks Associated with an Epidural

What are the risks of epidural? This blog tries to deal with some questions about risks.

• Sometimes, an epidural may cause blood pressure to shoot up or drop dramatically. So, it is important to keep a check on the blood pressure levels to ensure adequate blood flow to the baby.
• In rare cases, severe headache may follow an epidural as a side effect of the procedure. In certain situations, once the baby is delivered, the mother is asked to lie flat on her back without a pillow under her head. This protects the mother from epidural-driven headaches.
• Other side effects include the ringing of the ears, shivering, backache, and soreness in the area where the injection was given.
• The numbness in the lower half of the body will remain for a couple of hours after the childbirth. It is advised not to walk during this period or seek assistance if you must.
• Not substantiated though, but some research findings also suggest that mothers who experience an epidural are likely to suffer from breastfeeding issues with their babies.

When is Epidural Not Advised?

However, an epidural is not advised under the following conditions:

• If your platelet counts are low
• If you are in shock or have hemorrhaged
• If you are consuming blood thinners
• If you have had an infection in the back.
• If you have a blood infection
• Epidural space cannot be located by the physician
• If your labor is progressing faster that leaves no time for a drug to be administered.

Dr. Gilbert J. Grant is an anesthesiologist at NYU Langone Medical center who has been providing pain relief to women for the past 25 years. In his book titled, Epidural Without Guilt: Childbirth Without Pain, he acknowledges the fact that every woman must have the choice of deciding for oneself bracing themselves with appropriate information. There are various myths about epidurals that women are unaware of and this prompted him to write a book explaining all about Epidurals. In any case, it is strongly advised that you discuss all your options with your doctor before taking a final call.
 

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