Epidurals for labour

Epidurals for labour. The choice is yours after all. But it's important to know that any intervention has potential benefits and risks. Yes, having an epidural is an intervention. Interventions by natural can change the course of labour because they can distupt the normal balance of labour. Let's take a look at all the things that come along with Epidurals.

• An Anesthetist must do the procedure. You will need to sign a concent form and should be informed of the risks, although they are usually minimul . An important thing to note is that sometimes you can get an Epidural quickly and other times you will need to wait until an Anesthetist is available to give you one. Also don't assume you are eligible for an Epidural because certain medications and some women's backs prevent them from being able to have one. But most women can have an Epidural.


• Most hospitals insist that you have an active labour pattern established before you have an Epidural. Which means your cervix needs to be at least 3-4 cm dilated.


• You will be confined to a bed and need the External Fetal Monitoring belts on you the whole time.


• Most times a Bladder Cathidar is used because you will not be able to feel the sensation to uriniate and your legs will be numb so it would be unsafe to walk to the bathroom.


• You will need Intervenious fluids to maintain good blood pressure.


• A Blood pressure cuff will also be on you the whole time.


• You will be restricted from having food or fluids.


• Your Temperature will be monitored regularly.


• By nature Epidurals tend to slow labour so for most labours there is a need to add Pitocin (Oxytocin) to help labour continue to move along.


• Epidurals do increase the need for instrument delivery (vacuum extraction and forceps) of your baby because sometimes it can be more difficult to push effectively.


• You will be monitored closely to make sure that all the interventions you have do not adversely affect your baby.

The Benefits??? Safe effective pain relief with mental awareness. A woman can relax and sometimes even sleep. It can be especially helpful for women that are highly anxious about labour.

The truth is that Epidurals are a trade off. You trade off the options of movement, walking, bath/shower, basically undisturbed birth for pain relief. Know your options or you don't have any. Be an informed consumer. Take some Childbirth Eduction classes to increase your confidence level. What ever your choice......have good labour support and choose a place of birth that gives you a variety of options.The choice IS yours make it wisely.