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Unless you are an advocate of natural delivery, you are probably interested in
exploring your pain relief options during labor.
Birthing a baby is a tremendous experience, and one that is often accompanied by
pain and discomfort. Even some women who have committed themselves to a natural
delivery sometimes find themselves seeking out information about pain relief during
labor.
There are three ways to provide pain relief during labor:
Local anesthetic medications that numb the vaginal area
Regional anesthetics (spinal or epidurals) that ease the pain of
contractions
General anesthesia which puts you to sleep and is typically reserved for
emergency C-sections
You should discuss your pain relief options with your physician prior to
labor and delivery, and make your preferences known to your caregivers.
Pain relieving medications are sometimes given to women in the early stages of
labor to reduce discomfort. Though these medications do not completely stop
pain, they do lessen the severity of it and are a good option for women who want
a more natural birthing experience.
Spinal vs. Epidural Spinal anesthetic is very similar to epidural anesthetic. During a spinal,
medication is injected directly inside the coating that surrounds the
spinal cord. Spinals are generally used for cesarean sections and typically work
faster than epidurals.
When medication is placed around the spinal column, outside of the sac
surrounding the spinal cord it is called an epidural . An epidural may have fewer
side effects than a spinal, which may cause a headache and reduced blood
pressure.
Your health care provider can help select the best type of pain relief for you
based on your health and how well your labor is progressing.
An epidural or spinal will be injected into a precise location in your back.
With the epidural a tiny tube is inserted into the back that will provide
continuous pain relief throughout labor.
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Effects of Spinal and Epidural
An epidural generally starts working within 10 to 20 minutes after injection.
Spinal medication generally works immediately, and pain relief lasts for
approximately one to two hours. An epidural is often inserted for women who
might require longer pain relief.
Most women will still feel mild pressure from their contractions with a regional
anesthetic, but should not be in pain.
For some women contractions may slow down after regional anesthesia is injected
for a short period of time. This may actually benefit women by helping them
relax and rest prior to the vigorous pushing phase of labor.
Side Effects
There are some side effects of regional anesthesia. More common side effects and
complications may include:
Low blood pressure - your blood pressure may drop as a result of
anesthetic use; your physician will generally provide intravenous fluids and
monitor your blood pressure to prevent a serious problem.
Itching - some women experience itching as a result of anesthetic use.
Headache- this is more common during a spinal anesthetic. Your
anesthesiologist can offer additional medication or pain tablets to help
relieve the pain.
Local reaction - some women will have a local reaction to an anesthetic.
This type of reaction is usually rare, but can be very serious. Signs or
symptoms you should notify your anesthesiologist of include dizziness or
ringing in your ears.
The type of pain relief you choose will depend on your personal medical
history and preferences. Don't hesitate for a moment to express any concerns you
have or ask any questions you may have of your anesthesiologist.
Most women find labor and delivery a tremendously enjoyable experience, in part
due to the advantages of pain relief offered by modern medical technology.
