Epidural anesthesia during childbirth is one of the methods of regional anesthesia, in which drugs are injected through a catheter into the epidural space of the spine.. This injection leads to analgesia (loss of pain sensitivity), anesthesia (general loss of sensation), relaxation or complete paralysis of the muscles, according to the online edition for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net The principle of action of epidural anesthesia is based on pain relief by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses along the endings of the spinal cord. As a result, the patient, depending on the task set by the doctors, ceases to feel any pain..

Epidural anesthesia can be used as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to anesthetize the patient after surgery, in the treatment of back diseases. The possibility of using the so-called "

The use of epidural anesthesia during childbirthAccording to reviews, every fifth woman uses epidural anesthesia during childbirth, and in European countries this figure has increased several times: more than 50% of women in labor have already experienced the effect of " Despite the fact that this method of pain relief can successfully protect a woman from the pain experienced during childbirth, epidural anesthesia is a serious medical intervention that can have both contraindications and complications..

Painkillers for epidural anesthesia are administered in several ways:.

Pain relief with gradual dose increase. The anesthesiologist injects a mixture of drugs into the epidural space of the spine. As anesthesia weakens, additional injections are carried out by a specialist, the duration of which is 1-2 hours.;

Continuous introduction. Provides for the introduction of a catheter into the spine of a woman, on the back of which a pump is connected that continuously delivers an anesthetic drug;

Combined epidural anesthesia during childbirth. The essence of the procedure is the preliminary administration of a small dose of anesthetic, during which a catheter is inserted into the spine.. When the effect of the first injection is over, the doctor will administer drugs directly through the catheter.

Epidural anesthesia during childbirth, according to reviews, can be performed at any time during labor, however, most often, anesthesia occurs already during the active period (with the opening of the cervix by 5-6 cm).

The benefits of using epidural anesthesia during childbirth include:.

Efficacy in pain relief;

Speed \u200b\u200bof action. Anesthesia begins to work 20 minutes after injection;

The fact that the woman in labor remains conscious. She understands that she has started contractions, but does not feel pain;

Lowering blood pressure in hypertension.

Disadvantages and consequences of epidural anesthesia during childbirth Complications that occur after epidural anesthesia are quite rare, but they still happen:.

For about one person out of twenty patients, this type of anesthesia does not have a special effect: blockade of nerve endings does not occur. In this case, anesthesia will be either partial, or it will not occur at all.;

Careless actions of a doctor can lead to an accidental puncture of the dura mater, which is dangerous for the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid into the epidural region. This complication is characterized by headaches that can be mild or severe (lasting for years);

Painkillers can enter the blood stream to the brain and cause spasms, unconsciousness;

Accidental damage to the subarachnoid space can lead to paralysis of the lower extremities.

The consequences of epidural anesthesia during childbirth can also include:.

Increasing the likelihood of a rise in body temperature in the postpartum period. This complication leads to the prescription of antibiotics, which requires the resolution of the issue of breastfeeding.;

Increasing the likelihood of instrumental impact on childbirth (using a vacuum extractor and applying forceps);

Increasing the patient's propensity for possible problems with urination (urinary retention);

Decrease in blood pressure in a woman in labor, which can lead to impaired blood flow to the placenta, and, consequently, oxygen starvation of the fetus;

Increase in the duration of the second stage of labor.

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