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The Pros and Cons of an Epidural

Many women opt into an epidural due to fear of pain, their tolerance of pain, being coerced into getting the epidural, and projections from others etc. Whatever the reason is, it's important to know the pros and cons of this important decision. It’s imperative to understand that not everyone's body responds the same, so be mindful of this when giving birth. When birthing in the hospital we often hear the benefits but not the consequences of a medicated birth. In another post we will discuss the pros and cons of a natural unmedicated birth but first let's discuss the pros of epidurals.

Pros

• Relief of pain- Everyone’s pain tolerance is different despite what we may feel or believe. It’s portrayed that black women have a higher pain tolerance than other races, which is simply not true.  An epidural provides pain relief from the discomfort/pain of contractions and labor itself. When a mother receives an epidural it numbs her lower body, often providing pain relief but not excluding pressure.
• Can promote rest and relaxation- due to the discomfort or pain of Labor some women may not be able to relax or rest during labor. The lack of rest/ relaxation burns energy that is needed for the laboring process.  An epidural may provide relief which in return gives the mother time to relax and conserve energy.
• Helps with interventions- if there was a need to use a vacuum or forceps to help remove the baby from the birthing canal, an epidural can provide pain relief. Also, if you needed an episiotomy (a cut to widen the vaginal opening) or C-section the epidural will limit the need for other pain medication.

Cons

•  Reduction in mobility- with an epidural the mother can no longer walk or move freely, which may lead to a stall in the labor process (although it’s not a rush) and the need for frequent repositioning.
•  Drop in blood pressure- epidural cause vasodilation (widening of blood vessels). This causes blood to pool in the vessels and decrease blood return to the heart. If less blood is traveling to the heart, then the heart is pumping less blood into the body. This is what causes hypotension (low blood pressure). Hypotension decreases fetal heartrate. This is caused by decreased blood flow to the placenta, causing decreased oxygen to the baby and therefore leading to bradycardia (decreased heartrate.
• Difficulty pushing- As mentioned before an epidural numbs the lower part of the body, which can affect the woman’s ability to feel contractions and the urge to push when completely dilated.
• Increase interventions-epidurals increase the risk of forceps, vacuum and or caesarean assisted birth due to its ability to cause a stall in labor. Stalling labor may call for other interventions such as the use of Pitocin (artificial oxytocin). Pitocin can lead to fetal distress or failure to progress when combined with an epidural, often leading to cesarean sections.
• Side effects of an epidural that aren't fully discussed are shivering fever itching and soreness at the injection site. Also, the patient is no longer able to urinate on their own and requires a Foley catheter. Other risks include infection, nerve damage, severe headaches, or bleeding.
•  Inability to eat- Eating during labor provides energy for the laboring mother. When someone receives an epidural, they are no longer allowed to eat. This is due to the possibility of aspiration during a c-section. As mentioned before, an epidural increases the possibility of c-sections.

 

It's important to ask questions when delivering and/or opting in for an epidural.  Make an informed decision based off your inquires not off the projections or fear from others.  You are strong, you are bringing life into this world however you want to.

 

Until next time.......Wombmen are the Future