New Study Reveals The Truth Of The Relationship Between Epidural Anesthesia And Prolongation Of Labor

Know what you are doing to your baby when you use this anesthesia.

Epidural anesthesia

During my last delivery in which I was already outside the expected age limits, so it was considered a high risk delivery, the doctor and I planned and discussed very well in advance all the options, except one, the possibility of a cesarean section.

Which led to the delivery being quite a BIRTH, since I was pushing for almost 12 hours, and when I requested another option to give birth, I was denied because I had not “planned before”. But I was offered epidural anesthesia, which I received as an oasis for me at the time, especially since I had the power to push the button and send more anesthesia.

Finally my last son was born, his head long like a rocket and I felt nothing.

But what does the epidural do?

The epidural anesthesia provides constant relief during childbirth because numbs the lower part of the body of the woman yet fully aware maintained.

It is delivered through a thin, soft catheter into the epidural area, a space outside the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and spinal fluid.

The study, epidural or saline

According to an article published by Vix, Boston University decided to conduct a study to see if the use of an epidural directly affected the time of a delivery by lengthening it.

For this he randomly searched 400 pregnant women. Part of this group received epidural anesthesia, while the rest received saline during the second part of labor, a stage during which the cervix is ​​fully dilated.

The results were amazing, since the time difference between one delivery and the other was minimal, according to the report published in the journal Obstetric and Gynecology, women who received the epidural in this second part of delivery took 52 minutes, while those who They received saline solution 51 minutes into giving birth.

Epidural does NOT prolong labor

The researchers observed that the difference was minimal, so a statistical distinction was not considered, and they also found no differences in the weight or oxygen levels of the babies in question.

The only clear difference was with respect to pain, women who received epidural anesthesia did not suffer any pain compared to those who received saline. Researchers can therefore state that there is no direct indication that epidurals are associated with prolonged labor.

How the epidural works on your body

Once the catheter is inserted into the mother’s lower back, medicine is introduced through it, which is usually a combination of local and narcotic anesthesia, so the anesthesia blocks the sensation of pain, movement and touch, while the narcotic calms pain but does not affect the ability to move. Together, they avoid pain but still allow some movement.

The effects of this form of anesthesia appear 10-20 minutes after having been injected, and the patient can regulate the amount they want to add during the procedure. Doctors recommend applying this method when the mother is in active labor, and not before, to ensure that the contractions do not diminish.

readHypothyroidism in pregnancy: the symptoms you don’t know and what to do if you suspect that you suffer from it now that you are PREGNANT

Advantages and disadvantages of an epidural

The advantages are obvious, since it avoids pain, keeps the person conscious and can make movements, in addition the medicine does not reach the baby or if it does, it is a small amount.

In contrast, the cons, fill a list:

  • Uncomfortable position for injection administration, although the benefit is promising.
  • It can affect the movement of the legs, making it impossible for you to stand.
  • Because it is an intravenous injection, it requires constant monitoring of the mother’s and baby’s blood pressure.
  • Numbness in your lower body sometimes decreases the force of the push, as the mother loses sensation completely.
  • The lack of sensation from contractions increases the need for forceps, causing tears.
  • The catheter sometimes moves causing the effect to only reach some areas.
  • It increases the possibility of the mother having a fever during childbirth, although it is still unknown exactly what causes this effect.
  • In the future it can cause infection or damage to the nerves.

Personally, I don’t know if I would do it again

I can affirm that by living the experience, I was benefited by the advantages, but some disadvantages also reached me, such as being left with a fifth degree tear, in the end I felt nothing, it was difficult for me to walk again, I could not even rotate my legs In bed to get up, over time and after this experience, I usually have a recurring dream, that I fall out of bed without being able to move.

Best of all, I won’t have to decide anymore because the baby factory has closed in my case.

Add a Comment
