To Epidural or Not to Epidural…
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What are the types of epidurals?
There are 2 basic epidurals used today. However, hospitals and anesthesiologists vary on the dosages and the combinations of medication they use. You will want to ask your care providers at the hospital about their protocol.
-Regular Epidural: After the catheter is in place, a combination of narcotic and anesthesia is administered through either a pump or periodic injections into the epidural space. The narcotic, such as fentanyl or morphine, is given to replace some of the higher doses of anesthetic, such as bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, or lidocaine, which helps reduce some of the adverse effects of anesthesia. You will want to find out your hospitals policies about staying in bed and eating.
-Combined Spinal-Epidural (CSE) or “Walking Epidural”: An initial dose of narcotic, anesthetic or a combination of the two, is injected beneath the outermost membrane covering the spinal cord, and inward of the epidural space. This is the intrathecal area. The anesthesiologist will pull the needle back into the epidural space, threading a catheter through the needle, withdrawing the needle and leaving the catheter in place.
This allows you to move more freely in the bed and change positions with assistance. With the catheter in place you may decide later to request an epidural if the initial intrathecal injection is not enough. You will want to find out your hospital’s policy on moving around and eating/drinking after the epidural has been placed. With the use of these drugs, muscle strength, balance and reaction is reduced. CSE should provide pain relief for 4-8 hours.
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Comment by lindsay on Jan 26 2009 05:09:49:
Good info on the epidural, but the title is “To Epidural or Not To Epidural…” So what are the alternatives? This article is missing more than half the subject matter.
For mamas who are interested in natural childbirth (even if you think you can’t do it) I highly suggest reading the two books by Ina May Gaskin. Very informative and inspiring. Even I, the biggest wimp on Earth, successfully experienced natural childbirth out of a hospital setting. I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world! It is amazing what the human body can accomplish when one is fully prepared and open-minded.
cheers to all new mamas and babies!
Comment by Denise on Mar 17 2009 02:53:50:
take it like a real women and don’t get an epidural… I was 19 and decided to have a natural birth it was tough but worth it. almost all the moms I know that got an epidural have back problems now so i’m glad I didn’t get it…
Comment by Autumn on Mar 26 2009 09:18:14:
I had to have an epidural since I wa delivering twins.
Comment by Helene on May 23 2009 03:28:16:
it’s a matter of personal choice. i don’t feel any less like a mom for having had an epidural. good for you that you did the natural route but that is your choice – don’t talk down to others just because you have a higher threshold for pain. the real test of bein a real woman is how you are after the baby is born!
Comment by Philip Kushmaro on Mar 23 2013 03:59:36:
http://www.laboraide.com/article/543-epidural-alternatives-knowing-your-options