The time of delivery is approaching and that is when the mixture of feelings makes us more nervous. On the one hand, we are looking forward to having our baby in our arms, but on the other, there is the fear of childbirth and its pain. Hence we have to mention Epidural delivery as well as its advantages and some other disadvantages.
The epidural is an anesthesia that will relieve pain at the time of delivery, while the expectant mother can be awake and involved at all times. Although many doubts always arise around her, and not everyone believes that it is something positive, we are going to see her two sides of her. And you do you think? Do I give birth with an epidural or without it?
The advantages of epidural delivery
The epidural is one of the great alternatives we have today. It is true that, as we have mentioned, there are many people who are against him for various reasons. Even so, a series of doubts are always generated around him, so it is better to speak clearly with your doctor before this moment. Since only then will you leave behind these doubts but also the main nerves that can play tricks on you. That said, we are going to see the advantages of epidural delivery because there are many.
- One of the great advantages to highlight is that the mother is conscious throughout the process and you can live it in a more intense way. Since it is one of those moments that will never be erased. In addition to being able to participate in everything that the doctors indicate.
- Dose can be adjusted in the event that severe pain appears. So it will always be of great help for the labor to continue its course but in a less painful way.
- As a rule, the future mother does feel the contractions but not with that intense pain. But we can say that it is a strong but not painful pressure.
- In the event of having to perform a caesarean section, the mother can continue to participate at all times.
- It is not necessary to apply any other medication when performing the episiotomy or needing the help of forceps.
- Epidurals also reduce strain on the mother. This means that those women who have heart or lung problems will help them even more to control these organs.
- Lowers blood pressure.
What are the disadvantages of epidurals
If we have seen one face, now it is the turn of the second. Because epidural anesthesia can also have a series of disadvantages that you need to know about.
- The last part of labor is usually slower. This tells us that it will be at that moment that the mother has to carry out what the doctors tell her to do, because there is a slight loss of muscle strength.
- Headache is one of the symptoms that can appear after epidural as side effects, as well as some nausea.
- low voltage It can also be another of the disadvantages, but in this case, it can be controlled by keeping the mother with serum and well hydrated.
- The use of forceps may be more frequent.
- Also sometimes, the effect may not be as effective as we think, but logically we have already discussed how the dose can be adjusted.
- There is a lot of talk about the risks of epidurals, but it should be mentioned that the vast majority of them are extremely rare. Nerve root damage is very rare.as well as infection. Very intense headache can appear in one in 25 women and serious injuries in one in 300.000 women.
So, do I give birth with or without an epidural?
There will always be a division of opinions and it is logical. But the good thing is that we can decide, unless the delivery is very advanced. hence always It is good to talk to your doctors throughout your pregnancy to always resolve any doubts. and so that they can adapt the answers to your personal circumstances. In summary, epidural delivery has more advantages than disadvantages. It's up to you!