Childbirth without pain - the dream of every pregnant woman. To offer modern medicine analgesia in labor and what are the risks and complications of epidural anesthesia?
Epidural anesthesia - it is one of the most common types of anesthesia today. It is very effective and relatively safe for the mother and child. What are the pros and cons of epidural anesthesia?
Under epidural needle catheter is meant to be administered into the spinal cord, and through which the medication is fed blocking pain impulses lower body. It allows the expectant mother to rest from labor, vain attempts to gain strength before and easier to move the entire birth process. However, there are certain risks that are important to know.
Be sure to ask about all the pros and cons of this type of anesthesia, since birth - a very unpredictable process and need to be informed in advance about all the medical manipulations that you offer.
Indications for epidural anesthesia:
- anomalies of labor activity;
- young age mothers (18 years);
- a sharp increase in blood pressure;
- strong pain;
- the need for induction of labor;
- premature birth;
- the risk of cesarean section.
Contraindications to epidural anesthesia There are absolute and relative, when the decision is made by obstetrician and anesthesiologist, appreciating all possible risks for both mother and child.
Absolute contraindications:
- inflammatory diseases (pyelonephritis, chorioamnionitis et al.);
- diseases of the spine;
- blood clotting problems;
- heart defects;
- bleeding;
- increased intracranial pressure;
- bacteremia.
Relative contraindications:
- the lack of labor;
- cervix than 7 cm;
- nervous system diseases;
- the presence of uterine scar.
Advantages of epidural anesthesia:
- It allows you to completely numb and keep a clear mind women;
- reduces the period of cervical dilatation contributes to the smooth promotion of the child through the birth canal;
- It allows a woman to rest and gain strength before the vain attempts;
- no adverse effects on the body of the child;
- It reduces and normalizes blood pressure.
Disadvantages of epidural anesthesia:
- It can cause a number of complications and side effects;
- reduced activity of the uterus, and patrimonial activity is reduced;
- increasing the number of breaks.
What are the consequences of epidural anesthesia?Serious consequences caused by the use of epidural anesthesia are rare. Among the frequent complications that are proven scientifically distinguished:
- back pain
- headaches;
- insufficient analgesic effect;
- prolongation of delivery;
- higher risk of caesarean section;
- a sharp drop in blood pressure;
- change in fetal heart rate.
When you need epiduralka?Epidural anesthesia is ideal for cesarean section: it allows a woman to be awake to see and put the baby to breast, no adverse effects on the fetus, as opposed to general anesthesia, and makes it easier to move away from this type of anesthesia.
As for pain relief of natural childbirth, if there are no absolute contraindications, the decision for a woman. Predict what will occur birth, no one can, so a woman is important to listen to yourself and your doctor, and do not pay attention to the horror that is teeming with online. Every birth, even for the same woman - the process is very individual and depends on many factors.
On the one hand, it's still interference in labor and certain risks still exist. On the other hand, a low pain threshold may lead to even more unpleasant complications: high pressure, uterine inertia, so in this case, the type of anesthesia will only favor. I wish you health and lung birth without pain!
Also, be sure to find out 6 things about childbirth, are not made to tell anyone
