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Excerpt
from:
Do You Have Any Questions?
A Woman
Doctor Answers the 100 Most Asked Questions About Pregnancy
© 1997:
MJ Bovo
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| Epidural anesthesia is the choice of many doctors for labor and delivery. It is safe for the baby. Complications to you may include: a drop in blood pressure; allergic reactions to the medication; a true spinal block; and, occasionally, slowing labor for a short period of time. Epidural anesthesia does not increase your chances of having a c-section or forceps delivery. The illustration below will show you how an epidural is performed. | |||||
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| A needle is placed between the vertebrae into a space called an epidural space. Medication is then placed into this space. A small catheter is then threaded through the needle into the space and the needle withdrawn. The catheter is left in placed and taped so that it does not move. You can then be given a continuous small amount of medication or be given a bolus dose when you begin to have pain. An epidural relaxes the pelvic muscles and the nerves are bathed in the local anesthetic medication which causes an insensitivity to pain. You will still feel the pressure of the contractions and the urge to push. After the baby is born, the catheter is removed. | |||||
Copyright 1997-98: MJ Bovo. All right reserved
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