Epidurals are used to decrease or elevate pain during labor and many circumstances may make the procedure necessary. For example, in the event a C-section is required, an epidural or another type of anesthesia is used. This allows the mother to be fully conscious in most cases for the birth of the baby.
Epidurals are among the most frequently used forms of pain relief during labor. The medication is administered through a needle inserted near the spine. This medication effectively blocks the pain signals to your brain.
It’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this approach to childbirth before you head to the hospital.
But it’s Not Natural
We’re not going judge the decision to use an epidural and we’re not going to get into a philosophical review of whether the use of an epidural takes value away from the birthing experience.
Regardless of the medical terminology used, your baby is still natural and how you deliver shouldn’t take anything away from that.
So Why Do So Many Mom’s Elect for an Epidural?
Plain and simple, an epidural is there to manage the pain. Here are the basic advantages to using an epidural:
- Alleviates a good deal of the pain during the birthing process.
- Reduces anxiety for mom during labor.
- Will enable you to rest more as labor progresses.
- May also lower your blood pressure during labor.
Why Expecting Moms May Want to Avoid an Epidural?
There are a number of potential complications and side effects that come from an epidural during the delivery process. Among those include headaches, back pain, fever, problems breathing, and a potential drop in the mother’s blood pressure.
Beyond the potential complications, there are also a number of disadvantages to having an epidural. Those may include:
- If administered too late in the birthing process, the epidural will not be effective.
- Once the epidural is given, you will no longer be able to move about.
- Being unable to leave the bed, you will likely require a catheter for your bladder.
- Once given, you may no longer be able to eat or drink. Some facilities may still permit ice chips.
- Epidurals are typically followed by extensive and invasive forms of medical monitoring of mom and baby.
- The use of an epidural may require other interventions (Pitocin) to continue labor along.
- You may not be able to push as efficiently when the time comes as a result of the epidural.
Alternative Options
You have alternatives to pain relief. Many of these options are narcotics so we’re not going to get into a deep review of them here.
Talk with your healthcare provider about all the options. Just be sure to understand that while these drugs may curb the pain, they may also bring side effects such as respiratory problems, drowsiness, and nausea.
Is an Epidural Right For You?
Only you know if an epidural is right for you. Talk with your birth partner as well as your doctor about the options and how they affect you and the baby.
The bottom line is that only you know what is going to work for your unique circumstances. Best wishes, whichever route you choose!
