Anesthesia & Childbirth
Women today have many advantages over their ancestors. Childbirth used to be an event filled with pain and a significant risk of death. Now women can have their children with virtually no pain and very little risk to the mother and the newborn, thanks to advances in anesthesia.
Anesthesia for childbirth was first given in the United States in 1847 by John Simpson. He used ether to anesthetize a woman with a deformed pelvis for delivery. Although the medical community did not embrace this new idea, women demanded it, and within a few short years, it became standard practice. Since that time, many drugs and techniques have been used in obstetrical anesthesia. Today, a majority of women receive epidural anesthesia to relieve the pain of labor.
Epidural anesthesia is a relatively painless, extremely safe procedure. After local anesthesia is given, the epidural is placed between the bones in the lower back. A tiny catheter is inserted in the epidural space, which is near the spinal cord. A combination of medications is then injected through the catheter, targeting the nerves in the spinal cord. The epidural causes some numbness from approximately the belly button on down, but most women are still able to move their legs and turn in bed. Medication is usually administered through the catheter at a slow, and constant rate to maintain comfort throughout the labor and delivery process. Thus, the mother can focus on her new baby without being distracted by extreme pain.
As with all medical procedures, there are some risks associated with the epidural. Many people unfamiliar with epidurals worry about suffering some type of nerve damage. Although anything is possible, the risk of injuring the spinal cord during the procedure is extremely low because the spinal cord ends above where the epidural is placed. A blood clot or infection near the spinal cord is also unlikely and rare.
A spinal headache is the most likely complication with the epidural. Occurring in approximately one in 200-300 epidurals, it can be very painful. However, this complication is easily treated by a procedure called an epidural blood patch.
If a C-section is required, a labor epidural can be used to provide anesthesia for the surgery. If a woman does not have an epidural for labor and then requires a C-section, epidural anesthesia is often the best choice. General anesthesia is another option, but it is generally reserved for emergencies because it is less safe for pregnant women.
In conclusion, obstetrical anesthesia has evolved into a safe and low-risk procedure. Although some may not want or need anesthesia during childbirth, many women have enjoyed the benefits of epidural anesthesia and have had their babies in a relaxed, painless environment.