What is the best anesthesia for delivery?

Question

Local anesthesia, epidural, or IV drugs?

Answer 1

Hi there, I am an anesthesiologist so I have to make a disclaimer first. The answer I am giving you is generalized for the average patient and may or may not apply in your case. For your specific individual treatment, you must consult your own health care provider(s). My answer is for the purpose of general information only.

Okay on with the good stuff. The bottom line is that the best pain relief for labor is whatever you would prefer. There is no doubt that epidural anesthesia provides the most effective pain relief, but many women deliver without one. There are other options as well. In many cases, patients will elect to have an intravenous dose of pain killer which often works well, especially early in labor. The pitfall is that as labor becomes more intense, these drugs don't really work as well. Also, if given too close to the delivery, they may have effects on the newborn(which can easily be overcome with a drug called nalaxone). At some institutions patient controlled analgesia is used with rapidly acting painkillers, and this may be more effective.

Laughing gas(nitrous-oxide) is often used, but in reality can not be used for an entire labor. It is best in a patient who does not have an epidural and needs a short period of pain relief to get through the final 30 minutes or so of labor. This has minimal if any effect on the newborn.

There is no doubt that epidural anesthesia provides the best form of pain relief. In some disease states it may even be highly beneficial (example-pre-eclampsia), and in some cases it may not be able to be used (for example patients who have a bleeding disorder where the blood doesn't clot properly). For more information, you should speak to your physician. There is no evidence that it affects the baby in any specific manner as long as your blood pressure is well maintained, and that is rarely an issue. Some have suggested that it may prolong labor, but that is a topic that is highly debated and probably not worth considering.

There are some risks to having an epidural (just like there are risks with everything in life such as walking across the street, driving a car, and even having a baby). More minor risks are the possibility that it may not work well, a specific headache know as a "post-dural puncture headache" and back discomfort after. Keep in mind that labor and delivery is often a cause of back discomfort whether-or-not one has had an epidural. The most serious complication is paralysis leading to loss of use of the legs. This can happen due to infection or what is called an epidural hematoma. Fortunately, this is an extremely rare complication. It is difficult to ascertain exactly what the risk is because it is so rare and many studies have had differing results. Depending on what you read, the risk may be 1:10,000 to 1:100,000. This probably makes the risk to be about the same as the risk you take everyday when you get behind the wheel of a car. For more information, you should speak to your anesthesiologist.

Personally, if I had to go through labor, I would have my epidural put in the minute that I walked in the door, but I'm a man. All jokes aside, my wife had one for both or our children. I may not have answered your question because I can't. Ultimately, it is your decision and no one elses. The important thing is that you should be able to make an informed decision. Keep an open mind and remember to try things like some soothing music, your breathing techniques, a nice massage as well. And don't forget, you can always try one thing and then switch to another if you feel you need to. Keep well!

Answer 2

Epidural-moms are the most comfortable and the baby doesn't receive any drugs when the mom gets an epidural. With the IV meds baby can be born quite sedated. Locals are only for those last few minutes of delivery when birth is imminent, so the mom has many hours of labour prior to this time.

Answer 3

There are no two people alike! Remember that!! What one medication does for one person, doesn't mean it's going to do the same for you. Your body could act totally different to any 3 of those anesthesia's you listed. I had an epidural. I didn't feal hard contractions, but I fealt A LOT of pressure!! It was horrible. It was almost 3 years ago, but I still remember telling myself "don't ever forget how this fealt". It's hard to understand, especially if you've never had a child. Talk with your doctor about it. By best... what do you mean? Less pain? Fewer side effects? Just talk with your doctor.... I think that would be your best bet. Good luck!! Motherhood is awesome!

Answer 4

I have 2 children and with my first one they gave me an epidural which is a beautiful drug!!!!LOL. I was in horrible labor to the point that my contractions were less than a minute apart and I was falling asleep in between them so they said I was exhausted and they gave me the epidural. The pain stopped immediately and I slept for like 10 hours until they took me in for a c-section. With my second baby it was a scheduled c-section so they gave me a spinal. That kicks in very quickly pretty much as soon as you get the injection you feel your feet and legs go numb. I also had this IV drip with my first baby and it was Demerol (i think that's how you spell it) and that stuff really makes you feel like you are high. I was talking out loud and my husband was cracking up at the things I was saying I really don't remember but everybody thought it was pretty funny including the nurses!

Answer 5

Depends. For vaginal birth an epidural is fine but it stops the contractions so they have to give you pitocin.

For a section, a spinal when placed properly works fine. No pain. Just sensation.

Answer 6

For Mom and baby, an epidural is the safest and easiest way to go.

Answer 7

i'm rather sorry she would have the ability to't have an epidural! undesirable undertaking! even with the undeniable fact that, I had a Cesarean. yet I had an epidural already in the previous I had my emergency Cesarean. i think of if she would have the ability to't have an epidural, she would have the ability to possibly be positioned down with wide-unfold anesthesia, meaning she would have the ability to be positioned to sleep. they can supply her a Valium or Xanax, or another style of anti-tension medicine if she desires one to calm her nerves in the previous getting the needle. later on, she would have the ability to be loopy! a minimum of i became. and he or she would have the ability to wish help doing the least confusing issues like sitting up! you will might desire to truly be waiting to cater to her, reason it purely isn't because of the fact she needs you to, yet because of the fact she desires you to. After a pair of day, they're going to take her off the morphine, positioned her on Percocet, and get her to stand up on her feet to stroll around. that's significant to sidestep blood clots, and helps with getting the physique moving and healing. she would have the ability to no longer be able to get to consume different than for rooster broth till they examine to make advantageous that her bowels are working appropriate. she would have the ability to be interior the scientific institution for 4 days, and take great factor approximately it! I in all probability does no longer have any travellers for the 1st few hours different than for mom or sister, or human beings she feels gentle no longer having any dignity in front of, because of the fact issues like flatulence can't be prevented. Get settled in first. she would have the ability to be rather groggy for a on an identical time as after, besides. she would have the ability to earnings to notchronic (if she does) for 2 weeks, and he or she would have the ability to adventure all varieties of strange sensations on an identical time as her physique is healing. it is going to take months in the previous she rather feels rather popular. yet optimistically each and every thing is going super! sturdy luck!

Answer 8

the lumber puncture-epidural

Answer 9

my epidural was great.