Normal and Painless Delivery Hospital

Epidural anesthesia is an epidural administration technique in which an anesthetic is injected into the epidural space of the spinal cord. This method is popularly brought into use to achieve painless childbirth owing to it being a rapid pain reliever. Applying this injection saves the mother from the labor pain though the pressure is existent. Epidural injection provides relief by blocking the nerve impulses from the lower segment.

Application – The person who administers an epidural anesthetic is an anesthesiologist, an obstetrician or a nurse anesthetist. The application process begins by wiping the area (the waist) where the injection is to be given with an antiseptic solution, followed by the application of a local anesthetic to numb the area. A needle is then inserted into the numbed region and a catheter is edged through it. The needle is gently removed leaving the catheter in place which is taped to the back. It is through the catheter that epidural anesthesia gets injected.

Why is it used?

• They are less risky in comparison to general anesthesia
• Helps ease during the delivery as the pain is otherwise too much
• Patients quickly regain their senses
• Helps stay awake in during cesarean delivery while relieving pain
• Causes decreased hyperventilation of the mother along with increased supply of oxygen to the baby

Side-effects/complications:

The following are the risks associated with epidural anesthesia-

• A decrease in heart rate and blood pressure
• Difficulty in urination
• Paralysis of the intercostal muscle and diaphragm
• Neurological injury
• Epidural hematoma
• Dural puncture by accident followed by headache
• Misplaced catheter
• Paraplegia

Although motherhood is one of the most awaited events in a woman life, the thoughts of immense pain that accompany the delivery process what keeps an expecting mother on the edge. This is more obvious in case of the first time mothers who might have a lot of anxiousness and queries. For women who find it difficult to bear pain or cope with prolonged pain, a pain less delivery can come in as a great help.

What is it?

Painless delivery is a technique which involves the administration of epidural analgesia to a woman in labor in order to attain a pain free delivery. This kind of delivery is carried out with the help of an anesthetist, alongside the gynecologist and other surgeons. The pain less delivery method does not require the woman to go unconscious; she can stay fully awake while only the pain and stress resulting from contractions is minimized or removed.

How is it brought about?

A pain less delivery technique is brought about by the use of an epidural anesthesia. This anesthesia is delivered to the woman through injection into the epidural space of the spinal cord. This injection is passed in the waist line of the mid-lower back through a catheter. The epidural anesthesia blocks the nerve impulses in the lower back thus numbing the area. This causes the labor to be painless though the pressure is still felt. The effect as well as its side-effects depends on the dosage of the medication injected.

Why go for it?

Reasons to consider pain less delivery are –

• Eases up the stress and pain during labor
• Allows the mother to stay awake during childbirth
• Quick recovery