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The choice to use obstetrical anesthesia during labor and delivery is a personal decision. Some women choose not to use pain medication and rely solely on breathing and relaxation techniques to help them through each contraction. Becoming educated regarding the various pain relief methods available is the best way to make this decision.
According to the book "Taking Care of Your Child" published by Addison-Wesley Publishing Company in 1990, general anesthesia is not often used in the United States except in deliveries that are complex. When it is used, the same book says the patient is unaware of any pain or activity, including the birth of the baby. The website article "Pain Relief in Childbirth" published in 2000 by The Association of Ottawa Anesthesiologists, says general anesthesia is often used during Cesarean sections. This method of pain relief is not recommended for routine deliveries. Newborns are not usually as active after the mother is administered a general anesthesia.
Epidural anesthesia, as described by 'Taking Care of Your Child", is given during the last half of the first part of labor. This type of obstetrical anesthesia is dispensed through a needle in the area of the spine. It blocks the pain from the lower abdomen on down. Problems associated with an epidural are decreased blood pressure, and/or it can slow down the progression of labor.
Spinal anesthesia, as described by the same publication, is not as popular as epidural anesthesia. This is because of the possibility of headaches after the birth for the mother and unspecified complications for the baby. It is dispensed basically the same way as the epidural anesthesia, but it doesn't alleviate specific areas of pain like the epidural. Even though it is not widely administered today, spinal anesthesia can be used during complex deliveries.
Caudal anesthesia is also described by "Taking Care of Your Child" as a method of pain relief that may cause unpleasant side effects much like spinal anesthesia. It is dispensed into the lower spine during the end of the first part of labor by way of a narrow tube.
The same book describes a pudendal block anesthetic. This particular form of pain relief blocks pain to the affected areas. This is somewhat helpful in the second stages of labor and during an episiotomy, which is the repair of incisions or tears that occurred during labor.
Paracervical anesthesia is defined by "Taking Care of Your Child" as a local injection in the area around the cervix. This anesthesia is administered with a long needle, and it causes the nerves reaching the cervix to be deadened. It is not used very often because it can cause decreased heart rate in babies.
The choice to use anesthesia is perfectly acceptable. Utilizing breathing techniques along with obstetrical anesthesia can be very helpful. Desiring pain relief during labor and delivery does not mean you will not be doing what is best for your baby. Many mothers who decide to use anesthesia are better able to experience the birth of their babies because they are able to focus on more than the pain they are enduring. It is important to communicate to your doctor or obstetrician any questions or concerns you may have regarding anesthesia during labor and delivery. He or she can help you decide if obstetrical anesthesia is right for you.
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