2. Do the Epidural Medications Cross the Placenta and Affect the Baby
Epidurals are i of the safest, nearly effective, and most widely used forms of hurting management for women in labor around the world. More 60 percent of laboring patients choose to get an epidural, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Research has shown that getting an epidural is safe and effective for nearly all laboring moms and their babies. But nevertheless, myths persist.
Choosing a labor pain relief method is a personal decision. You deserve the facts to make an educated choice. And so, we've put together a list of the nine most mutual myths near labor pain epidurals, based on questions that patients have asked my colleagues and me. Let's go to debunking!
Myth: There's a limited window to go an epidural in labor
Reality: In that location's no specific cervical dilation range to await for to get an epidural.
Nosotros tin place your epidural at the beginning, middle, or even toward the end of labor – nosotros have safely placed epidurals in women who were dilated to 10cm. UT Southwestern has anesthesiologists on staff 24/7 to provide an epidural as presently as y'all want it. The only timing criteria are that you:
- Are in active or induced labor, which your Ob/Gyn or midwife will ostend.
- Tin remain even so and calm for five to 10 minutes for the procedure, which might be tough if yous're close to delivering.
Once in a while, patients are within minutes of delivering when they go to the hospital. In those cases, at that place simply may not exist time to give the epidural. This is uncommon but tends to happen more oft in women who've given birth before.
Related reading: What to practice when the baby'south coming – right now
Myth: Any laboring mom is eligible for an epidural.
Reality: Nearly every patient is eligible, only in that location are a few exceptions.
Epidural might not be recommended for patients with sure health conditions, such as:
- Bleeding disorders
- Conditions that require blood thinners
- History of severe brain or spine issues
If y'all are concerned about your risks, talk with your dr.. They can fix a consultation with an anesthesiologist to talk over your options.
Myth: Getting an epidural might harm the infant.
Reality: Epidural medication is considered safer than IV labor pain medication.
Many drugs, from Tylenol to the medication in an epidural, can potentially cantankerous the placenta and impact the baby, but inquiry has shown that the amount of medication that enters your bloodstream and the baby's when you have an epidural is quite low.
Studies have shown that getting an epidural does not negatively bear upon the infant'southward Apgar scores (newborn functional testing), nor does it increase the take chances of needing neonatal intensive intendance.
Related reading: Should I end taking medication when I'm meaning?
Myth: Moms who go epidurals need C-sections more frequently.
Reality: Epidural doesn't increase the likelihood of a C-department, studies bear witness.
Several landmark studies have shown that getting an epidural does not increase the chance you'll demand a cesarean department commitment. Previously, we idea epidurals may increment your risk of vacuum- or forceps-assisted commitment, but more recent evidence has suggested this is no longer truthful.
While the epidural should block about of the hurting of labor, it should not complicate labor or prevent you from pushing. Epidural medication will not cause fetal distress or cause the baby to "become stuck." When this happens, it'due south likely that the situation would have occurred regardless of whether the patient had received an epidural.
Myth: Labor will take longer and I'll be stuck in one spot if I get an epidural.
Reality: In that location is no credible enquiry to suggest this is true.
Labor is typically divided into two stages – progressive cervical dilation to 10cm and pushing. Getting an epidural has no effect on how long stage 1 takes. Some research suggests the pushing stage might be a fleck longer if y'all are more than relaxed and pushing is less urgent, but we're likely talking minutes, not hours.
Advancements in epidural medication administration over the last 20 years accept allowed u.s. to control pain without making you feel as weak. Y'all'll still be able to feel pressure level from contractions (with less or no hurting), and you lot'll yet be able to push. The anesthesia team volition securely record the catheter in place after information technology is inserted so that you tin motility comfortably in the bed and switch positions every bit you like.
Myth: Epidurals crusade prolonged back pain after delivery.
Reality: Getting an epidural will not cause chronic back hurting.
The more likely culprit is that your body is sore from the pregnancy and delivery experience, and the abiding angle and lifting required for newborn intendance.
After any injection, from a flu shot to an epidural, y'all'll likely feel some pain and swelling at the injection site, which should resolve within a calendar week. Me personally, I felt like the tenderness was a off-white trade for 3 less painful labors and deliveries.
Myth: The injection might cause nervus impairment or paralyze me.
Reality: Permanent nerve impairment due to an epidural is exceedingly rare.
While non impossible, permanent nerve damage or paralysis is extremely unlikely – estimated at less than i in 240,000 patients. Pushing and positioning during labor can cause temporary injuries, such as nerve compression (a "pinched" nerve). Pushing is a very physical, stressful body event that tin crusade swelling and nerve irritation. Even in these cases, temporary damage is extremely rare.
Myth: I have a lower-back tattoo, so I tin can't get an epidural.
Reality: Patients with low-back tattoos tin safely become epidurals.
Theoretically, at that place is some risk that the tattoo ink could be introduced into the spinal canal. But reports of tattoo-related epidural complications are very rare and controversial. To avoid that tiny chance, we volition find a suitable spot on the spine where in that location is little to no ink.
Myth: Getting an epidural is declining at 'natural' childbirth.
Reality: Nosotros don't hand out awards based on how moms give birth.
Labor pain is very intense – I know immediate from having my own babies. Choosing an epidural is not a failure. Information technology's a choice to help you stay calm and focused, which is so important for a successful delivery. There are enough of things to worry about every bit a mom – and so you shouldn't feel defeated if your birth programme changes and y'all decide to get an epidural.
Getting an epidural: What to await
If you, your partner, or your labor support person can't tolerate the sight of needles, tell your doctor right away. Epidural needles are sparse but long – depending on your weight, the needle will be 9 to 11cm long.
Your anesthesiologist volition ask you lot to hold as still as possible for 5 to 10 minutes. We ask patients to curl forward, with their back arched like a shrimp. They will numb a spot on your spine, so insert the needle and a tiny tube into your spine. Information technology will feel like a pinch, and you volition feel some pressure as the needle is positioned – nosotros're looking for simply the right spot for maximum pain relief without disturbing the spinal nerves.
Inside 10 to twenty minutes, yous should feel fiddling to no pain from the waist down. You won't be able to walk while the medication is flowing and your legs volition feel weak – that is normal. Feeling and mobility will return inside an hr or so after the needle is removed.
Your injection site might exist sore for a few days after delivery. Fewer than one percent of patients develop a severe headache due to leakage of spinal fluid. Some women report feeling itchy or nauseous as the medication wears off.
Choosing your preferred pain relief method for labor and delivery is a personal conclusion. Whether you lot plan to accept an epidural or decide to update your birth plan during labor, we will be ready to aid you manage your pain. At the stop of the day, your health and safety – and that of your infant – is the most important part of the nativity experience.
To talk with an Ob/Gyn about labor pain relief options, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online .
Source: https://utswmed.org/medblog/epidurals-myths/
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