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For most women, the pain of childbirth is the most acute pain they have ever experienced or will ever experience. Some women, however, have a level of pain they can tolerate, while others may benefit from some form of pain relief.
One of the most popular, and safe pain relief options is the epidural injection.
An epidural is an injection given into the lower back. It is the most effective way to relieve labour pains. The feeling of pain is carried to the brain via the nerves in the spinal cord. An epidural injection obstructs this message of pain and you go through a painless labour.
The area where the epidural injection is to be inserted will be numbed before performing the procedure, so you will not feel any pain. But you will feel some sensation, and these will be fully explained to you.
Epidurals have an excellent worldwide safety record. As with any procedure, however, some patients may experience some minor side effects like shivering; decreased blood pressure; mild itching in labour; headache; persistent pain in some areas, etc.
Other complications like epidural or spinal hematoma are rare. Please discuss this with our Anaesthesia team if more information is required.
Headache after epidural is uncommon. At this hospital, it is usually seen in 1 - 2 per 1000 epidurals.
Most headaches respond to conservative management using simple analgesics like paracetamol. A small percentage of women may need an epidural blood patch.
Do not hesitate to ask our team members to know more about blood patches.
No. Minor back problems are common during pregnancy and childbirth, with or without an epidural.
No. The chances of a normal delivery before or after the procedure are the same. There is sufficient data to prove that an epidural will not lead to an increased rate of C-sections.
In case you have to subsequently undergo a C-Section, the epidural catheter will not be removed. The same catheter will be used to administer anaesthesia.
However, the concentration of the drug used will be higher to minimise discomfort during surgery. The same catheter will be retained for 48 hours after your surgery to administer pain-relieving medications, thus reducing your pain and discomfort even in the post-operative period.
No, not at all. A properly administered epidural improves blood supply to your baby and is especially helpful to mothers who have small babies or those with preterm labour.
Another benefit is that when the mother is pain-free, she can cooperate with the obstetrician and help make the birth process quicker.
Epidural is the technique of choice and is highly recommended for mothers with this problem.
Good pain relief will not only reduce the stress on the heart but will also improve oxygenation of both mother and baby, thus reducing stress on the heart and lungs.
Yes. All epidurals at Mathi Hospital are given using low-dose mixtures of local anaesthetics and narcotics which preserve the motor power of your legs.
If there is no maternal or foetal contraindication, the labour ward nurse will encourage you to walk after an epidural.
Yes, there are a few. Epidurals and spinals are contraindicated in mothers who have clotting problems or infection at the insertion site.
If necessary, your anaesthetist will do certain blood tests before performing the procedure.
Such cases, however, will be given some other form of pain relief.
The Department runs a PAC Clinic from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday at Mathi Hospitals, Bogulkunta and Hyderguda, and Mathi Stork Home, Banjara Hills.
Do not hesitate to consult the Anaesthetist to learn more about the following:
We believe that it is not enough to keep you pain-free only while the procedure is in progress. It is equally important to keep you as comfortable as possible afterwards as well.
With this in mind, the anaesthetists at Mathi Hospital runs an acute pain management service.
Good pain control enables you to recover quickly, even after a major surgery, thereby reducing your stay in the hospital.
There are several ways of providing pain relief.
Patient Controlled Anaesthesia (PCA):
The PCA machine allows you to give yourself small doses of pain-relieving medications whenever you need it to minimise your pain/discomfort.
This means that you are independent and in control of your pain relief.
The anaesthetist will programme the machine and make it safe for you.
Continuous Infusion:
This is controlled by a doctor or a nurse. Your pain level is assessed and pain relieving medication is given continuously, either through an IV or epidural route.
