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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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WHAT
CAN I HAVE FOR PAIN RELIEF IF I NEED IT?
This is one of
the most often asked questions in pregnancy. Moms want the best for
baby, but they are concerned about whether they 'can go it without
anything'. You're stronger and more focused than you believe, however
there are times when you do need pain relief. You may have
drugs or anesthesia. |
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DRUGS
Drugs provide analgesia, lack of memory for
or of pain, and sedation. Demerol and Nubain are the most commonly
used drugs for pain relief in labor. Drugs can make you drowsy, dizzy
and cause nausea and vomiting. They may also make your baby sleepy
and he won't be able to suck well. They may also cause the baby not
to breath well after birth, if they are given too close to delivery.
Remember, whatever you take goes to your baby.
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LOCAL
ANESTHESIA
THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF LOCAL ANESTHESIA
AVAILABLE TO YOU
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Paracervical
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A paracervical block, used for delivery
when forceps or vacuum must be used, is local anesthetic injected around
the cervix to numb the nerves that go to the perineum. A paracervical
block can cause your baby's heart rate to drop. |
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Pudendal
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A pudendal block is done for the same
reasons and in a similar fashion as a paracervical block. The local
anesthesia is injected so that the pudendal nerves are numbed. |
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Local
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Local perineal anesthesia is injected
directly into the perineum. This is used before an episiotomy
is made. |
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SPINAL
ANESTHESIA
Spinal anesthesia is local anesthesia placed
into the back into the spinal fluid. A fine needle is placed between
the bones of the back into the spinal fluid, the fluid that surrounds the
spinal cord. A small amount of spinal fluid is withdrawn and the
same amount of anesthetic is placed into the fluid. Spinal anesthesia
works immediately but it only lasts about an hour. This is
good for c-sections. Complications of spinal anesthesia can include:
a drop in blood pressure, and a 'spinal headache' that can last up to one
week.
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Copyright 1997-98: MJ Bovo.
All rights reserved
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