Epidural anesthesia (it is peridural) - an excellent way to remove pain during battles and delivery. As with most invasive treatment, this procedure has shortcomings and advantages, but it is relatively safe and has significant advantages compared to general anesthesia, since this type of anesthesia is applied much smaller doses of drugs. Epidural anesthesia causes less harm to the cardiovascular system, as it acts only on the bottom of the body, alleviating pain. There are testimony when such anesthesia should not be applied, namely:
- patients with blood clotting disorders;
- patients suffering from coagulopathy;
- Long-term application Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- hypovolemic shock;
- pairing placenta;
- infection in the area of the introduction of the catheter;
- constant headaches;
- Pain in the lower back (not related to pregnancy);
- chronic neurological disorders;
- drug allergies used for anesthesia;
- Certain heart disease (if you have a sick heart, be sure to discuss it with your anesthesiologist);
- inability to cooperate with the introduction and installation of the catheter during the procedure;
- inability to talk about the strength of painful sensations or arising problems;
- At the site of the introduction of the catheter remained a scar from spinal surgery;
- The curvature of the spine in the patient.
Before considering the possibility of applying such a method, the world readers should remember that you can simply not be aware of the presence or absence of some of the above contraindications. This is due to both the absence of a complete examination and with the individual structure of each organism.
It is very important that you understand all the risks before deciding that epidural anesthesia suits you. Although very small, but still there is a risk of infection or neurological injury. You and your relatives should discuss all possible problems before signing consent to the procedure. If you do not understand the possible danger or how the procedure is performed - epidural anesthesia is not for you.
What is epidural anesthesia?
Epidural anesthesia is one of the anesthesia methods, in which drugs are introduced by small doses in the epidural spinal space through the catheter. It blocks the pain in the nerve endings of the tribute and Matties, without stopping the generic process. Successfully conducted epidural anesthesia guarantees almost painless battle period and your child's birth.
Most obstetricians are considering the possibility of holding epidural anesthesia, only if the female will ask about it.
Gentlemen S Arterial hypertension, Very dangerous disease, make a cesarean section. Because epidural anesthesia carries mostly emotional load. But at the same time no pressure in the arteries. Eclampsia, like preeclampsia, are an absolute indication to the operational delivery.
This procedure is carried out by anesthesiologist - a doctor who specializes in the means and methods for ensuring anesthesia. Before entering the drug, your generic process is carefully observed. Near you will be constantly a specially trained specialist, right up to the birth of a child.
How does this happen?
Epidural anesthesia usually does not apply until you enter into an active stage of childbirth. You will be asked to lie on the left side, the most pressing the chin and knees to the chest, or sit down, lowered the head and shoulders, and stretching your hands forward - the middle line of the back is easier. Sitting position is preferable because it allows an anesthesiologist easier to view anatomical landmarks. The bottom of the back is treated with a disinfecting solution in order to reduce the risk of infection. In a certain place at the bottom of the back, the skin area is anesthetized with a five-cable coin with a local analgesic. You must lie as calmer as possible until a larger needle is introduced into the peridral spinal cord space. Little thin tube (catheter) is carried out in this needle until it reaches the desired location. Then the needle itself is carefully removed. Then impose «Trial dose» drug to check the correctness of the placement of the catheter. If the catheter is entered incorrectly, it accelerates the frequency of heart cuts. If the heartbeat is normal, you introduce the first dose of anesthetic. The catheter is fixed to your back, in order to add the drug as needed. The fixed catheter does not limit your movements and is not felt on the back.
The anesthetic falls into the epidural space where the nerve endings pass through which pain impulses fall into the spinal cord. The drug blocks the pulse before it falls into the brain.
3-5 minutes after the introduction of the first dose, nerve impulses are blocked, which transmit signals about pain in our brain. The full effect occurs after 10 minutes, you should not feel pain in general. After the first dose is weakened, you will add the following portion. Typically, the drug is administered with a frequency of 2 hours, but it also depends on the selected drug.
After the child is born, the catheter is removed. The effect of anesthesia usually completely passes after 1-2 hours. Then you can experience a feeling of burning in the field of tripes.
Is Epidural Anesthesia really safe?
At the moment it is believed that epidural anesthesia is completely safe for the mother and child. But, of course, the risk is always. Peridural anesthesia can provoke a complication (for example, the imposition of forceps to a child), which is also risky. The most common side effect is a sudden decrease in blood pressure in the woman in labor. This problem is found in 1-2% of cases and is dangerous for a woman and a child. If this suddenly happened, the brigade of doctors need to take urgent measures. Most often, the situation can be stabilized. Control over blood pressure is necessary after each administration of drugs.
Other possible complications:
- infection;
- The needle is inserted incorrectly and epidural anesthesia does not make it easier;
- the loss of urination control, due to which the introduction of a catheter may be required;
- Paralysis of the back when the anesthetic agent is introduced into the cerebrospinal space. Stop breathing and sharp Reduced pressure. It is a serious condition.
Epidural anesthesia is always valid?
If the doctor cannot easily determine the location of the peridural space, the use of this type of anesthesia is unacceptable. But it happens rarely. Sometimes the childbirth begin so quickly that there is no time for anesthesia. In some cases, anesthesia acts in some places: one piece is unfisted, the other - no.
Epidural anesthesia can be held by most women, but again, with the exclusion of all contraindications (for this it is necessary to go through a full survey). Mircean reminds that all those who have suffered operations on the back, with heart disease, blood or with allergies to certain painkillers must necessarily discuss these problems with their attending physician and anesthesiologist.
Advantages of epidural anesthesia:
- relief pain during battles, delivery and, if necessary, episiotomy;
- reducing the revelation period of the cervix;
- elimination of pain, and the consciousness of the woman in labor remains clear;
- The drug enters the blood to the child in such a minor quantity that it cannot bear a significant bad effect on his condition.
Flaws:
- Mother should stay in a lying position for the entire period of childbirth;
- Mother does not control her body and may not feel the process of childbirth. This may affect the relationship between mother and child. The second stage of childbirth can be slowed down due to the inability of the mother move and use gravity;
- The woman in labor depends entirely on the medical staff, and he does not determine his physiological needs. Most likely, the girlfriend will need the introduction of the blade catheter, which carries certain risks;
- The most frequent «Not good» Consequences for the baby - weak breathing (if the dosage is correctly calculated, then the minimum harm).
- rarely, but still there are very serious problems, and which women in labor and its loved ones should be warned.
How else can you ease tricky pain?
There are other ways to reduce pain. Many women help the methods studied on courses for young mothers - relaxation, massage, specific poses, visualization, distraction, breathing exercises made with the support of another person. All this is based on your own strength and endurance, but quite successfully allows you to control your body.
Epidural anesthesia - only one method that can give relief in pain and discomfort in childbirth. It really requires big confidence in the medical staff. It is really risky enough. Final decision to take you. Understanding the procedure itself and its holding will help determine what is the right and necessary for you.
