Epiduralsaregiventopregnantmothersduringlabouranddeliveryinordertoeasetheunbearablelabourpain.Takingepiduralsisanartificialmethodofgettingrelieffrompainduringlabour.Readontoknowmoreaboutthesideeffectsandcomplicationsofepidurals.Labourpainisoneofthemostunbearablepainsinawoman’slife.Somewomenbearit,whilemanyfinditintolerable.Therefore,therearesomepainreliefmethodsthataregiventothewould-bemothersothatsheisabletohandlethepainandagonyofchildbirthwithoutmuchdifficulty.Epiduralsarepainreliefanesthesiathatisgiventothewomanwhoisgoingthroughlabourpain.Althoughthisisverycommonlyusedanesthesia,ithasitssideeffectstoo.Themainpurposeofepiduralistoblockthefeelingofpainfromacertainregion.Thesefallintoacommoncategoryoflocalanesthesia.Theanesthesiaisalsousedincombinationofotherssothattheeffectisgivenforlongerperiodoftimeandthishelpsinmaintainingthebloodpressureofthemother.InthisarticleSideEffectsandRisksofEpiduralsTimeisRequiredforGettingBackinShapeNaturalPainReliefProcessisHamperedC-SectionMaybeRequiredDropinBloodPressureUrinaryTractInfectionUncontrollableShiveringItchingFeverNauseaLessEffectiveSideEffectsandRisksofEpiduralsManypeopleareoftheopinionthatepiduralsareconsequencesfree.Well,thisisnotthetruthassomeofthelongtermsideeffectshasbeenmentionedinthescienceliteratureandhasbeenprovenunsafeforyouandyourbabyaswell.Thereisnodoubtthatepiduralshamperthenaturalprocessofchildbirthandhencethetimetakenislongerasitalsointerfereswiththequalityofthelabour.TimeisRequiredforGettingBackinShape-Thehormonesthatgetreleasedduringchildbirthhelpsinthecontractionoftheuterusinanaturalway.Whenepiduralsareused,womenaregivenartificialhormonestohelpgettheuteruscontracted.Ittakestimetogetbacktothenormalshapeandsize.NaturalPainReliefProcessisHampered-Therearesomenaturalpainreliefhormonesandmanyotherhormonesthatlowerdownthestressfulsituationofthemother.Thesegethamperedandmostofthesedonotgetgeneratedjustbecauseoftheepidurals.C-SectionMaybeRequired-Oneofthemostrecognisabledrawbacksisthatsincethepainisrelievedthemotheralsogetsrelaxedandthenaturalpushisnoteventothechildwhomostoftenleadstosupportivelabouroptionsandmajorityofthemhavetogoforc-sectionaswell.DropinBloodPressure-Sometimesthereisadropinthebloodpressurelevelbecauseoftheuseofepidurals.UrinaryTractInfection-Itincreasesthechancesofurinarytractinfections.Sometimesevenlossofbladdercontrolisalsoseeninsomecases.UncontrollableShivering-Manypatientsstartshiveringuncontrollablywhichisquiteuncomfortableandhappensfrequently.Itching-Itchingiscommonlyfeltinface,neckandthroat.Fever-Manypatientsgetfeverduetotheuseofepidurals.Iftheanesthesiaisusedforlongertime,theriskincreases.Nausea-Nauseaandvomitingisalsoobservedthoughitdoesnotlastlong.LessEffective-Sometimesthesearenotsoeffectiveandthepatientdoesnotgetcompleterelieffromthelabourpain.Keepinginmindthesideeffects,itisadvisablethatyoutakecareofyourcompletehealththroughoutyourpregnancyperiodandavoidcomplicationsasfaraspossibleinnaturalways.Properandwellbalanceddietalongwithrightkindofyogaandexercisehelpsalot.Even,manyclassesteachwould-bemotherstomeditateandhavecontrolontheirbreathingsothatlabourpaingetsreducedandthechildbirthprocessgetsfaster.So,ifyoufindthelabourpainunbearable,itisalwaysbettertohaveadoctortoobservethedosageandmonitorthesideeffectssothatyouareabletogivebirthtoyourchildinanaturalandmoreeffectiveway.
Epidurals are given to pregnant mothers during labour and delivery in order to ease the unbearable labour pain. Taking epidurals is an artificial method of getting relief from pain during labour. Read on to know more about the side effects and complications of epidurals. Labour pain is one of the most unbearable pains in a woman’s life. Some women bear it, while many find it intolerable. Therefore, there are some pain relief methods that are given to the would-be mother so that she is able to handle the pain and agony of childbirth without much difficulty.
Epidurals are pain relief anesthesia that is given to the woman who is going through labour pain. Although this is very commonly used anesthesia, it has its side effects too. The main purpose of epidural is to block the feeling of pain from a certain region. These fall into a common category of local anesthesia. The anesthesia is also used in combination of others so that the effect is given for longer period of time and this helps in maintaining the blood pressure of the mother.
Side Effects and Risks of Epidurals
Many people are of the opinion that epidurals are consequences free. Well, this is not the truth as some of the long term side effects has been mentioned in the science literature and has been proven unsafe for you and your baby as well. There is no doubt that epidurals hamper the natural process of childbirth and hence the time taken is longer as it also interferes with the quality of the labour.
Time is Required for Getting Back in Shape -
The hormones that get released during childbirth helps in the contraction of the uterus in a natural way. When epidurals are used, women are given artificial hormones to help get the uterus contracted. It takes time to get back to the normal shape and size.
Natural Pain Relief Process is Hampered -
There are some natural pain relief hormones and many other hormones that lower down the stressful situation of the mother. These get hampered and most of these do not get generated just because of the epidurals.
C-Section May be Required -
One of the most recognisable drawbacks is that since the pain is relieved the mother also gets relaxed and the natural push is not even to the child who most often leads to supportive labour options and majority of them have to go for c-section as well.
Drop in Blood Pressure -
Sometimes there is a drop in the blood pressure level because of the use of epidurals.
Urinary Tract Infection -
It increases the chances of urinary tract infections. Sometimes even loss of bladder control is also seen in some cases.
Uncontrollable Shivering -
Many patients start shivering uncontrollably which is quite uncomfortable and happens frequently.
Itching -
Itching is commonly felt in face, neck and throat.
Fever -
Many patients get fever due to the use of epidurals. If the anesthesia is used for longer time, the risk increases.
Nausea -
Nausea and vomiting is also observed though it does not last long.
Less Effective -
Sometimes these are not so effective and the patient does not get complete relief from the labour pain.
Keeping in mind the side effects, it is advisable that you take care of your complete health throughout your pregnancy period and avoid complications as far as possible in natural ways. Proper and well balanced diet along with right kind of yoga and exercise helps a lot.
Even, many classes teach would-be mothers to meditate and have control on their breathing so that labour pain gets reduced and the childbirth process gets faster. So, if you find the labour pain unbearable, it is always better to have a doctor to observe the dosage and monitor the side effects so that you are able to give birth to your child in a natural and more effective way.
