There is no denying the fact that childbearing is a painful experience! You ask any woman who has gone through it and it is a marathon session in itself. With modern innovations and surgical equipment, child birth is no longer considered to be a painful procedure. There is an option of epidural injection and most women who choose hospitals opt for it.

What does an epidural injection hold forth and there are some facts that you do need to be aware.

11 Must Know Facts About Epidural Injection

Different types

At a generic level there are three types of epidurals

• Injection with the aid of top ups
• Continuous infusions
• Spinal epidural

Epidural anesthesia

On your lower back this injection is provided. Your nerves are numbed and it prevents the pain from occurring. Often used during the course of child birth it could be used pre and post-surgery as well. Legs, chest and pelvic region could be made numb with the aid of anesthesia. The numbness is dependent on the drug and the quantity that is being used. An epidural is possible anytime during pregnancy, but a woman is given when contractions increase in frequency.

Treatment for a variety of nerve conditions

With an epidural injection, painful conditions of the nerves are exterminated. Ailments like spinal stenosis, sciatica, and any form of pain in the body is a foregone conclusion with this injection. As the swelling in the area is reduced, so pain is bound to lessen.

Will an epidural injection have an impact on the mother and the baby

No precise study relates to the fact that an epidural injection paves way for a C section. However, it sure increases the phase of labor on an average by 15 minutes. With this procedure temperature of your body rises and may confuse a doctor on whether it is due to epidural.

If a contraction emerges during an epidural injection

In a space of a couple of minutes, labor contractions occurs. So it is highly unlikely that an epidural injection could arise as fast in between the contractions. Women can experience moderate levels of movement, though most of them last the entire process.

The feeling

It is indeed a scary idea when a needle goes in your back! A majority of women refer that it is not that bad as it may seem. Doctors apply anesthesia so the area becomes numb, though possibility of some pressure exists. When contractions arise you can figure out what is happening.

Not a long procedure

Once you head to the clinic for injection, you are aware that you will not be inside the clinic for long. The duration of the treatment is less than 30 minutes and it is relatively painless as well. If an nerve problem has sprung up as part of diagnosis ask your doctor whether an epidural injection will provide relief.

The positives

Several positives are associated with epidurals.  Apart from pain relief, you have the ability to rest as a long labor is anticipated. A better experience is provided to your pregnancy in the hope that allows you to be engaged and stress free during birth process.

The negatives

Epidurals do have their own disadvantages. For a lot of women complete pain relief is not provided and it provides restriction on their routine activities.  Side effects like nausea, soreness or back ache is also common.

Is it possible to walk after an epidural injection?

By the time the injection is over, your legs may be feeling weak and tired. It is advisable not to walk around a lot. Ideally stay in bed for most of the period of labor as your doctor would need to monitor the heartbeat of your baby.

Eliminates the chances of a C section altogether

If a woman is exhausted for a prolonged period of time, then labor will be stalled. When an epidural injection is provided, timely relief from pain is assured with decrease in exhaustion levels. This is going to reduce the chances of C section to a considerable extent.

In a nutshell, whether epidural injection works or not, it is a million dollar question. From our discussion an obvious fact is that it does eliminate pain during the course of labor. In short the whole perception of pain is given a new meaning.

It has to be stated that risks are associated with this form of injection. Frequent reduction in blood pressure levels can have an impact on the heartbeat of a baby.

References

https://www.pregnancymagazine.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/everything-you-need-to-know-about-epidurals

https://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/labor-delivery/epidurals-6-things-you-need-know