The advantages and disadvantages
Access to the epidural becomes more and more classic and easier and easier, however it is a decision to make, and some people are strongly opposed to this technique.
For some, the suffering is part of the history of childbirth and childbirth. Apart from religious considerations, as some believe the birth passage, transformation of the woman as a mother, and pain is the symbolic representative of this passage, it would be necessary for the construction of maternal identity.
Beyond these considerations, some women feel robbed, as if the epidural had taken away the ability to give of themselves to put her child in the world. Actually it all depends on the concentration of the injected dose ...
The idea of passivity in this moment is unsustainable, but the comfort that brings the epidural is also important.
So here are some benchmarks to give you a basis for your thinking and your decision.
The benefits
- Outside these we have described in the preceding paragraph, the epidural provides a number of benefits that are not difficult to foresee.
- The major advantage is obviously the absence of pain, without removing the sensation, with the benefit of being fully aware and available for the event. Welcome her baby into the calm and gentle terrain provides a frankly favorable to get to know him.
- Second, the absence of pain can focus solely on the efforts of the expulsion, and therefore be less exhausted at the end, it is also a significant benefit.
- The physiological expression of pain is important outside of anesthesia, in terms of oxygenation of the mother and child, in terms of hormonal changes and heart. Anesthesia thus keeps constant the vital functions, and therefore reduce the harmful aspects of this intense effort, but also for the mother to the child who is being born.
- The fact of not suffering allows the mother to be available to listen to his feelings, and listening to the midwife, the work becomes more efficient, and expulsion shorter.
- In the days following, fatigue is not as intense as during childbirth without an epidural.
The recovery is still easier.
The disadvantages
The disadvantages are not absent from the table they are of two types: a physiological aspect to the mother and an undeniable influence on childbirth.
The physical consequences of an epidural:
- Lower back pain may occur from 24 to 48 hours after delivery.
- Some women also experience headaches in the days following childbirth.
The influence of epidural during childbirth:
- Lack of sensation in the pelvis leads some mothers to do more easily perceive when to push (that is to say when a contraction). Sometimes the urge to push is simply reduced. The consequence is the increased use of forceps.
Be aware that many of the women respond with great vigor and fitness when the doctor merely raises this event ...
Who says epidural does not mean forceps! Far from it! The pain is lessened, but not your desire to give birth to your baby!