What is an Epedural?

Question

I just wanna know what an Epedural is and what are the symptoms? Since this is my first time having a baby.

Answer 1

An epidural is a procedure done by an anethesiologist while in labor to reduce the pain of childbirth.

It has narcotics in it, they insert it into your back...

"The complications that are most common with an epidural are things like a drop in mom's blood pressure (maternal hypotension) which can lead to fetal distress if not treated, is usually quickly treated by medications and position changes. Other complications can include:

fetal distress
fetal malpositioning
increase in the cesarean rate
increase in the use of forceps and vacuum
maternal fever
These are relatively common with epidurals, but corrections require various procedures. Paralysis, numbness, nerve injury, accidental spinal and infection for mom are really rare but do occur."





read link below

Answer 2

Basically, an epidural is a nerve block given to pregnant women in labor. the procedure is as thus: First, the lower back spinal area is sterilized using either iodine or alcohol(depending on allergies). Once sterilized, a semi-flexible shunt, or i.v., is placed into the skin going through into the very lower spinal column. This effectively blocks off ALL pain and some sensations coming from the lower body and pelvis region. [A small side note: Yes, it CAN lower mommy-to-be's blood pressure. Yes, it CAN cause the baby(ies) to have a slightly lower APGAR score(this isn't bad though, so don't panic please!). And yes, it CAN Make things go VERY well for the first time mommy-to-be.] It goes without saying that it also blocks the pain from the vaginal cavity and the uterus and episiotomy area as well(if you unfortunately get an episiotomy that is). You can still feel pressure and you can still "push" the uterus muscles for to deliver the baby, yet it's a weird feeling as you can't really feel much but the pressure of the baby(ies) exiting the womb sans pain.

Answer 3

An Epidural isn't any symptoms it's something you can choose to have to help your when you give birth. It's a needle that Anesthesiologists place in your back to numb from your thighs to your midsection during labor so that the contractions are less painful and all you feel is pressure during the delivery instead of pain. You don't have to make your decision to have one until you are in labor at the hospital and even then you can wait it out for as long as you'd like. Usually women have them inserted when the contractions start getting closer together and are more unbearable. It takes about 10 minutes for the hospital to get an anesthegiologist up to your room, and another 5 minutes to insert it. Hope this helps, and congradulations on your first pregnancy!

Answer 4

It is a shot that is put into the base of the spinal cord to numb and remove feeling from the lower part of your body. You will not be able to walk after this is in place. It's only a sharp pain at first and then relief. I would recommended it all first time Mom's unless they would like to go through total natural child births.

Answer 5

The term epidural is often short for epidural anesthesia, a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space. The injection can cause both a loss of sensation (anaesthesia) and a loss of pain (analgesia), by blocking the transmission of pain signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord.

The epidural space is a part of the human spine inside the spinal canal separated from the spinal cord and its surrounding cerebrospinal fluid by the dura mater.

Answer 6

Since it's already been explained medically by other answerers, I'll just say: "Epidural is your friend! Call on your friend in your time of need".

Answer 7

It is a gift from the Gods of Medicine!! Accept it graciously.

Answer 8

same as a spinal tap they put a needle in your spine with numbing agent and tape it up your back untill you have the baby then they pull it out...it really hurts when they put it in