Epidural Anesthesia

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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 if it is administered at the proper time and in the proper way. The illustration below will show you how an epidural is performed.

A thin needle is placed between the vertebrae into a space called the epidural space. Medication, which is a local anesthetic, is placed into the space. A small catheter is then threaded through the needle into the space and the needle is withdrawn.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 anesthetic medication or be given a bolus dose (larger amount) 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.

There are two beliefs about epidurals.
1. They prolong labor and may lead to a higher C-section rate.
2. They do not prolong labor nor cause more C-sections.

People will never agree which is correct until somehow it is scientifically proven. But, if you cannot deal with the pain of labor for any reason, this may be a good choice for pain relief.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT MAY HELP:

	Complications that May Occur		Patient Guide to Anesthesia
	What Every Patient Shold Know		Additional Risk Page
	History of Epidural Anesthesia		Anesthesia and Monitoring
	Continuous Infusion Epidurals

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Excerpts from: The Family Pregnancy © 1995: MJ Bovo, The Family Pregnancy, Second Edition, currently in production, and Do You Have Any Questions? © 1995: MJ Bovo, are contained within this page. Reprints are not permitted under any circumstances. Please see Terms of Use for full expanation. Violations of the Copyright Code are taken seriously and appropriate action IS TAKEN AGAINST VIOLATERS.