Epidural anesthesia (synonym: peridural) - is the introduction of drugs through the catheter into the epidural space of the vertebral column surrounding the spinal cord. For the first time an epidural held in 1901 with the use of cocaine. In 1980, it began to be widely used during childbirth.
Currently, this type of anesthesia is most often performed using lidocaine drug that is injected through the catheter at the level of the lumbar. Epidural anesthesia is used as a local anesthetic during a Caesarean section or analgesia during natural childbirth.
Under the action of this anesthesia the cervix dilates evenly and smoothly, enabling the child to move quietly through the birth canal. Thus, the risk of complications is less than during operation using a general anesthetic, the consequences of which can be complicated by hypoxia or fetal asphyxia.
When the loss of pain sensitivity is possible to achieve the help of epidural anesthesia and medical reduction (or almost complete disappearance of) the overall sensitivity, as well as relaxing the muscles in mothers. The most important advantage of epidural anesthesia during caesarean section is to keep the mother's consciousness in order to hear the first cry of her baby. But we should remember that for epidural anesthesia also have contraindications.
When the epidural shown
• planned or emergency Caesarean section;
• sudden deterioration of the pregnant woman or fetus;
• the presence of severe disease in the expectant mother (diabetes, hypertension, bronchial asthma);
• malposition and severe pain during labor;
When you can not categorically
• inflammation in the back;
• presence of diseases and deformities of the spine;
• pathology of the nervous system;
• eclampsia;
• hypersensitivity or allergy to drugs used; excess weight.
As it happens
For the effective conduct of epidural anesthesia most importantly - the correct position of women in labor at the time of puncture. A woman should sit or lie down on her side, as much as possible by tilting the head forward. After administration of the drug in pregnant woman may receive the feeling of "chills", tingling, numbness and heaviness in the legs. This is normal, because it is the result of an anesthetic drug on the spinal roots. After closure of the drug these sensations vanish.
Also, new mothers after a few minutes after administration of the anesthetic may develop tremors, but worrying about it is not necessary - it is a safe response, which also goes away.
What are the complications
After epidural anesthesia in mothers following unpleasant simptopy can be observed:
• inflammation at the injection site;
• an allergic reaction to the drug;
• nausea or vomiting;
• decrease in blood pressure, headache;
• systemic toxicity when administered in the wrong vessel;
• back pain in trauma spinal root.
Complications after epidural anesthesia by the child are extremely rare. Nevertheless, here are some of them:
• Violation of the heart rate and breathing;
• Problems during lactation
Remarque: the world's scientists have created a special commission for the control for the epidural. Conclusions were ambiguous. The reaction of each organism to an epidural so individual that predict the result is simply impossible. If the birth take place safely and the mother is healthy, and epidurals do not cause harm. Otherwise - the cases are different. That is why, to solve the question of anesthesia in each case must be individually, because sometimes it was she who saves the life of mother and child.
