Becoming a mother is one of the most beautiful and precious experiences a woman can have in her life. However, along with that joy, it is very normal to feel a little scared and nervous when thinking about the pain that comes with having a baby. Sometimes, you have to endure this pain for hours, even days. So, one of the most popular and effective ways to control this pain today is the epidural. Although many people have heard about it, they do not know exactly what it is, how it is done, and what are the pros and cons. So today, we will talk about it all in a simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is an epidural?
An epidural is a special painkiller injection that is given to relieve the pain of childbirth. It is like anesthesia. However, it numbs only the lower part of your body, from your belly down, instead of your entire body.
This injection is given into a very delicate space around your spine. In medical terms, this space is called the 'Epidural Space' . This space is where the main nerves that carry pain signals from our body to the brain are located. So when an anesthetic is injected into this space, the pain signals to the brain are temporarily blocked, and you don't feel any pain.
How does this process happen?
The epidural is usually given in the labor room where you are. You won't feel much pain when it's given, but you may feel some discomfort.
1. Position: First, your doctor or anesthesiologist will tell you to lie on one side of the bed, with your knees as close to your chest as possible, almost like you're curled up. This position will help you see the space between your spine.
2. Cleaning and numbing: Next, the area to be injected is thoroughly cleaned and a small injection is given to numb the skin.
3. Inserting the epidural needle: Next, a specially designed epidural needle is carefully inserted into the `epidural space` we talked about earlier.
4. Administering the medication: Once the needle is in the right place, a very fine, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted through it and the needle is removed. Then, through this tube, the required amount of painkilling medication is slowly delivered into your body using a pump.
You will feel the pain gradually subside within about 15 minutes of taking this medicine. The degree of pain you feel will depend on the type, amount, and concentration of the medicine you are given.
The most important thing is that an epidural doesn't make you unconscious. You can stay awake and talk. It just takes away the pain .
What are the advantages and disadvantages of an epidural?
Like any medical treatment, an epidural has its pros and cons. It is important to be aware of both sides before making a decision.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pain relief: The main benefit is that you can get almost complete relief from labor pain. This allows you to rest and conserve energy. | Inability to walk: Because your lower body is numb, you may not be able to get up or walk after receiving the epidural. You will have to stay in bed. |
| Mindfulness: You can stay awake throughout labor. This will help you experience the moment of delivery with a clear mind. | Prolonged second stage of labor: During the push, you may not feel your muscles properly, so it may be difficult to know how to push. This may cause the baby to take a little longer to come out. |
| Psychological relief: The stress, fear, and anxiety caused by extreme pain are greatly reduced. | Low blood pressure: Sometimes, your blood pressure can suddenly drop due to the epidural. This may also cause the baby's heart rate to slow down a bit. However, there is nothing to worry about as the medical staff is always monitoring this. |
| Preparing for an Emergency C-section: If an emergency occurs, such as a lack of oxygen to the baby, you may need to have an emergency C-section. Since you have an epidural, you can perform the surgery quickly without having to wait for anesthesia. | Sometimes it's too late: You need to be given saline (IV fluids) before the epidural is given. This process also takes some time. If your cervix is fully dilated and your baby is about to come in, it may be too late to give an epidural. |
Who might be at risk for getting an epidural?
Although an epidural is very safe, it can be a bit risky for some people. If you have any of the conditions below, you should definitely talk to your doctor about it before giving birth.
- If you have previously undergone major surgery on your lower back.
- If you have a blood clotting disorder .
- If you are taking certain blood thinners .
- If you have an infection in your lower back.
Serious risks that can occur very rarely
Don't be afraid when you read about these. Because these things happen very rarely . That means they could happen to one in a million. But it's important to be aware.
- Permanent nerve damage due to damage to the spinal cord or nerve root.
- Permanent paralysis due to a collection of blood (hematoma) around the spinal cord.
What are the possible side effects after an epidural?
After you have your baby, you may experience some side effects as the epidural wears off. Most of these are temporary.
- Soreness at the injection site: You may feel some bruising and soreness at the injection site for a few days.
- Fever: Body temperature may rise slightly.
- Severe headache: Some people may experience a severe headache. This is not like a normal headache. If you experience this, tell your doctor or nurse right away .
- Difficulty urinating: Because the bladder muscles are numb, it may be temporarily difficult to urinate. In such cases, a catheter may be inserted to drain the urine.
- Itching: Some anesthetic medications can cause skin itching.
Many of these things go away completely in a few hours or days.
Take-Home Message
- Epidural is a very effective and safe way to control pain during childbirth.
- This allows you to experience labor pain-free and with a clear mind . It also has no significant impact on the baby.
- Like everything, this has its pros and cons. The inability to walk and the difficulty of pushing can be considered the main disadvantages.
- Before deciding whether or not you want an epidural, discuss all your questions and fears with your doctor without hesitation.
- It is essential to provide your doctor with a complete description of your medical history .
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