Birth can and should be a beautiful experience. But the prospect of childbirth can cause some women anxiety due to the pain and discomfort anticipated. As many women decide to take epidurals (painkillers) to have a more comfortable birth, there is a growing fear of side effects. Below are some of the most important points to consider.
When is an epidural used?
An epidural reduces pain in a specific area - in this case, the lower body. Women often choose to have one. Sometimes it is also a medical necessity if there are complications.
An epidural takes 10 minutes to set and gives effect after 10-15 minutes. It is placed through a tube that runs through the back.
benefit
The biggest benefit of an epidural is the potential for a painless birth. Contractions may still be experienced, but the pain is significantly reduced. During vaginal birth, the mother is conscious and can move.
An epidural is also required at a cesarean delivery to relieve pain from surgical removal of the baby from the mother’s womb. General anesthesia is also used in some cases where the mother is not awake during the procedure.
The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports a 72% increase in the number of cesarean births from 1997 to 2008, which may also explain the permanent popularity of the epidural.
Some cesarean deliveries are personal choices, but most are required if vaginal delivery cannot be performed. Vaginal birth after cesarean section is possible, but not for all women.
The Risks
Some risk factors for an epidural include:
- back pain
- headache
- persistent bleeding (from the puncture site)
- fever
- difficulty breathing
- drop in blood pressure, which can slow the baby's heartbeat
It is important to note that risks exist, but are rare.
Risks with cesarean births are not necessarily epidural-related. Unlike vaginal births, these are surgeries, so the healing time is longer and there is a risk of infection.
What is a natural birth?
Termi "lindje natyrale" zakonisht përdoret për të përshkruar një lindje vaginale të kryer pa ilaçe. Ndonjëherë përdoret gjithashtu për të bërë dallimin midis lindjes vaginale dhe lindjes cezariane.
Lindjet pa ilaçe janë rritur në popullaritet për shkak të shqetësimeve që epidurali mund të ndërhyjë në përgjigjet natyrore të trupit ndaj lindjes.
Ekzistojnë disa rreziqe serioze që lidhen me lindjet pa ilaçe. Rreziqet shpesh paraqiten nëse ekziston një problem mjekësor me nënën ose nëse një çështje e ndalon foshnjën të lëvizë natyrshëm përmes kanalit të lindjes.
Shqetësime të tjera që lidhen me një lindje vaginale përfshijnë:
- dhimbje e shtuar
- hemorroide
- probleme me zorrët
- probleme me urinën
- trauma psikologjike
Preparing for the risks of a medication-free birth is important. Preliminary information helps a lot. Also massages, acupressures, breathing techniques, pelvic position changes, etc., relieve pain.
Because it is a delicate process and depends on many factors, a few things to keep in mind for both births:
- the general health and emotional well-being of the mother
- the size of the pelvis
- the level of pain tolerance
- the level of contraction intensity
- the size and position of the baby
Sources: Parent, Healthline, WebMD
