Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
Epidural in labor is a concern for many women. They have heard that they are used in exceptional circumstances, can significantly prolong labor, cause paralysis and have an adverse effect on the baby. There are many such myths about epidural anesthesia in childbirth. Don't believe them.
We have collected the most frequently repeated false opinions aboutanesthesia in childbirth .
Epidural anesthesia (ITP) is used in childbirth exceptionally, only in special situations.
NOTHING LIKE! This is a way to alleviate the the pain of labor that accompanies each birth, so it can be used with every delivery (with with the exception of a few contraindications, which are discussed below). In the USA and many European countries, epidural anesthesia is offered to all giving birth, and even 80% use it. women. It is there as much a standard procedure as the anesthesia of dental procedures. In Poland, however (due to financial reasons and unjustified fears of women) it is still a rarity. Last year in our country, ZOP was used only in 10 percent. births, and now this rate has drastically decreased (due to changes in the method of reimbursement from the National He alth Fund).
Anesthesia in childbirth is dangerous, it can end in paralysis.
THIS IS A MYTH! This anesthesia is the most effective and the least risky (among all surgical procedures) method of relieving labor pain. Currently, the anesthetic drug (most often bupivacaine) is used in concentrations many times lower than those used in the past (currently: 0.0312% -0.0625%, formerly: 0.5% -0.75%). Cases of paralysis due to GPR are not currently reported.
Epidural anesthesia (ITP) significantly prolongs labor and increases the risk of using forceps or a vacuum tube.
NOT TRUE! Anesthesia usually does not prolong labor. Some studies show that it can extend the duration of the pressure (by 10-30 minutes). They talk about impaired uterine contractions, a decrease in the tone of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm and impaired pressure. However, other specialists say that such situations are the result of using the drug at the wrong concentration or giving it at the wrong time. When the procedure is performed correctly, this should not be the case. Anyway uMany women have the opposite effect: after anesthesia and pain relief, the newborn relaxes, gains strength and can actively participate in childbirth, which accelerates the contractile action. The use of forceps or vacuum extractor concerns 2-3 percent. anesthetized deliveries; this is only a fraction of a percent more than in births without an APD.
After anesthesia during childbirth, there are severe headaches, backaches and severe pressure drops.
NOTHING LIKE! The risk of such complications is minimal and does not result from the use of anesthesia, but from the fact that it was performed incorrectly (the anesthetist will use the wrong concentration of the drug or puncture the dura mater). If the woman in labor is properly prepared to put on the PIP and the procedure is performed correctly, no headaches or backaches occur (and even if they do occur, they can be relieved effectively). Blood pressure is under the constant supervision of an anaesthesiologist who, if necessary, gives measures to prevent its drop.
Anesthesia during childbirth has a negative effect on the baby: it is lethargic, stupefied, and does not want to suckle.
NOT TRUE! At such low concentrations of anesthetic as are used today, it has no effect on the baby - after the drug has passed through the placenta to the baby, its concentration is so low that it cannot be measured! On the other hand, thanks to the elimination of pain and stress in labor, anesthesia increases blood flow through the placenta, thanks to which the child is born in a better general condition and has no problems with sucking the breasts.
During labor, the perineum is normally incised.
NOT TRUE! Episiotomy (incision of the perineum) is not necessary at all. And whether it will be, it depends on many factors: the ability of the perineum to stretch, the size of the baby, cooperation on the part of the birthing part, and whether the midwife is willing and able to protect the perineum. However, by relieving pain and avoiding abnormalities in the birthing child, anesthesia helps to protect the perineum, where possible. This is best evidenced by the statistics from those countries where the rate of childbirth with OCD is very high, and the rate of episiotomy - on the contrary, very low.
Anesthesia is rarely performed during childbirth, because there are many contraindications.
NOT TRUE! There are only five absolute medical contraindications to the use of epidural anesthesia. They are as follows: blood clotting disorders, skin changes at the site of catheter insertion (inflammatory changes due to infection), allergy to anesthetic, fever and spinal surgery performed shortly before delivery. In some cases, a doctordecides whether to use anesthesia or not (after considering whether the risk of pain for the mother will be greater than the risk of the anesthesia itself). This includes certain congenital heart defects, neurological conditions, and hypovolemia (reduction in blood volume). So there are not so many contraindications. There are more situations and diseases for which anesthesia is recommended. They include: pregnancy-induced hypertension accompanying pregnancy, bronchial asthma, diabetes (both gestational and insulin-dependent), epilepsy, hematological disorders (e.g. sickle cell anemia), post-caesarean section and other obstetric situations, e.g. fetal position of the fetus, multiple pregnancy, prematurity and intrauterine dystrophy of the fetus.
Anesthesia for childbirth
What forms of pain relief can the woman in labor benefit from? Listen to our expert.
monthly "M jak mama"