Epidural

What is an Epidural? Regional anesthesia that prevents pain in certain parts of the body The goal of having an epidural is to have some pain relief instead of loosing feeling in your whole body You loose feeling in the lower half of your body starting at your lower spine down to your feet

Types of Epidurals There are two main types of epidurals 1. Regular Epidural (used by most women) Pumped or injected into your lower spine through a catheter Combination of narcotics and anesthetics (given with the epidural to decrease the required dose of local anesthetic) 2. Combined Spinal-Epidural (CSE) “walking epidural” Inserted into the intrathecal area through a catheter Can be either a narcotic or anesthetic or both at once Allows you to move more freely (walk around) Allows pain relief for 4-8 hours

How does an Epidural work Provides pain relief while your still conscious Before the mother receives epidural she receives 1-2 liters of IV fluid throughout labor For a regular epidural they lie the mother curled up on her side and the anesthesiologist cleans your back and injecting a numbing medicine into the spinal column (where the needle is inserted). Then they insert the needle in the lower part of the spine through a catheter Throughout labor more of the epidural is periodically given after the catheter is in place

Video On Epidurals during labor http://video.about.com/pregnancy/During-an-Epidural.htm

Advantages Allows you to rest Allows you to control the pain by adjusting the amount given Still conscious Helps the recovery process Once you have an epidural it can also be used to provide anesthesia for a C-section or any other complication during birth

Disadvantages It can cause blood pressure to drop (if this happens you will need to be treated with IV fluids, medication and oxygen Leaking of spinal fluid may cause severe headaches In rare occasions, permanent nerve damage may result in the area where the catheter is inserted

Basic Side Effects Shivering Ringing of ears Back aches Soreness when needle is inserted Nausea

Who can’t have an epidural? Low blood pressure A bleeding disorder A blood infection Skin infection on lower back Any allergies to local anesthetics If you take specific blood thinning medications Low platelet counts If you are not at least 4 cm dialated

Common Questions asked… Does getting an epidural hurt? Some women would say you would feel discomfort and pressure where the back is numb and when the catheter is inserted When will an epidural be placed? Usually they are placed when the cervix is dilated 4-5 cm (active labor). How will an epidural effect the labor? It causes the labor to slow down and it weakens the contractions. If your labor does slow down Pitocin will speed labor up.

Common Questions asked continued… How will I feel after the epidural? After the initial dose the nerves of the uterus will begin to numb after a couple of minutes. After 10-20 minutes you will feel completely numb. If labor prolongs for more than a few hours, a urinary catheter will need to be inserted because your abdomen will be numb. As the medication wears off some women will experience a burning feeling around the birth canal.

Works Cited "Epidurals and Labor - What Happens During an Epidural Video." How-to Videos: How-to and DIY Videos - About.com Videos. Web. 03 Mar. 2010. <http://video.about.com/pregnancy/During-an-Epidural.htm>. "Epidural Anesthesia : American Pregnancy Association." Promoting Pregnancy Wellness : American Pregnancy Association. Web. 03 Mar. 2010. <http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html>. "Epidural Pain Relief for Labor | BabyCenter." BabyCenter | Homepage - Pregnancy, Baby, Toddler, Kids. Web. 03 Mar. 2010. <http://www.babycenter.com/0_epidural-pain-relief-for-labor_1489911.bc>.