Having a baby is an exciting and sometimes anxious time for new mothers. Our anesthesia care team is on hand around the clock to make this occasion as safe and comfortable as possible for the expecting mom. Labor analgesia is an option for the patient, but is performed at the request of the mom and only if it is appropriate for her situation and at an appropriate time in her labor and delivery process. The goal of labor anesthesia is to provide pain relief from contractions. Keep in mind that many patients still feel the pressure of contractions, but the pain is at a much more tolerable level.
There are several types of labor analgesia including IV and epidural. For patients selecting IV analgesia, pain medication is delivered to the mom intravenously. The second form of labor analgesia, known as epidural analgesia, is where a catheter is placed in your lower back and pain medication (a local anesthesia drug combined with a narcotic solution) is delivered to the patient through the catheter. Carroll Hospital Center offers PCEA, patient controlled epidural anesthesia, where the patient receives an epidural, but is given a device so she can determine when she receives pain relief. The anesthesiologist determines a head of time the amount of pain medication a specific patient can receive safely, and sets the PCEA device to limit the amount and frequency of medication available to the patient.
The entire process for the epidural anesthesia will take approximately 30 minutes. Once the epidural is in place, the patient may experience some heaviness in her legs. This feeling and the pain relief will continue throughout labor and delivery.
Labor and Delivery Epidural Questions
What are the risks of epidural anesthesia?
There are a few possible side effects of an epidural. In less than one percent of cases, a patient may develop a headache, severe in some cases, that normally resolves on its own in five to seven days. If needed, additional treatment is available. Other side effects include changes in blood pressure, which are constantly monitored and treated as needed throughout the entire epidural episode, and developing cold shivers.
May I get an epidural at any time during my labor process?
Your obstetrician will determine if your labor pattern is active enough to warrant an epidural. Similarly, there is a point with which your labor may be too advanced to safely give you an epidural. Once your physician determines that it is an appropriate time for an epidural, he or she will contact the anesthesia department to perform the procedure. In addition, any patient receiving intravenous (IV) pain medications during labor may need to wait up to one hour after completion of these medications before receiving an epidural.
Will the epidural slow down my labor?
There has been much research on this question. The results of the research have shown if you are actively in labor when the epidural is placed, it should not slow down your labor. In addition, the myth that patients with epidurals are more likely to require a caesarean section than those without an epidural is false.
Does the epidural affect the baby?
No. One of the great benefits of the epidural is that it allows for excellent analgesia with very little systemic effects. You and your baby are closely monitored throughout labor. Any changes in the patient’s blood pressure will be addressed immediately and treated.
What if I need a caesarean section after receiving an epidural?
The epidural is very versatile. Once in place, it is an effective method of labor analgesia. If you require a caesarean section, your physician may use a stronger medication through the epidural catheter to provide surgical anesthesia. After surgery, the epidural may be used for up to 24 hours to provide postoperative anesthesia. If the epidural in ineffective, either a spinal or general anesthesia will be used for a caesarean section, depending on the situation.
May I eat while in labor?
No. Only sips of clear liquids or ice chips (per obstetrician approval) are allowed while in labor.