Labor is one of the most painful situations a woman may experience. It can last for many hours, during which the mother resistance is depleted by painful contractions, progressively stronger. This stress to which the mother may produce fatigue, irritability and, finally, exhaustion, and can bring difficulties at the childbirth stage. Education and preparation for childbirth help a lot, but do not make it easy to endure. What is the effect of the epidural? Epidural anesthesia, commonly known only as " epidural ", allows pain to be eliminated or reduced to easily tolerable levels throughout labor and even after it, if necessary. Thus, childbirth becomes a much more pleasant experience for the future mother (and, also, for the father, who in most cases is present). How is epidural anesthesia performed? To make an epidural, a catheter is placed in a very specific place - the epidural space - which is located between the wall of the channel formed by the vertebrae and the external meninge (dura mater). In the epidural space pass the nerves that bring the various types of sensations (for example pain, cold, heat, among others) from all regions of the body. The administration of the anesthetic in this space blocks the pain but does not eliminate the ability to feel the contractions, or the mother capacity to move and apply force when necessary. By varying the doses and drugs it is possible to block all sensitivity much more deeply. Therefore, it is also possible to perform cesarean sections (and other surgeries) using this anesthetic technique. The mother remains awake, without pain, but can see her child as soon as she is born. So, the epidural has no risks? Any medical procedure has potential risks and complications, some more than others, some more frequent than others. There are, however, many myths associated with the epidural, most without any foundation. Epidural anesthesia does not harm the mother or the baby and it has long been rejected that labor pains are necessary, for mother or child, for whatever reason. Some pregnant women are often anxious about the epidural and delivery or cesarean section, but because they are poorly informed. Placing an epidural catheter is a quick and painless procedure. Before it is placed, the puncture area is anesthetized. After an epidural, some degree of hypotension and difficulty in passing urine may occur, which are easily treated. Sometimes mild back pain may appear, which, when due to the epidural, is usually mild, self-limiting, and easily treated with anti-inflammatories for a few days. If a headache occurs, it is controllable with painkillers, caffeine, water intake and rest. Rarely, a more differentiated but very effective treatment is needed, the blood patch. There are, of course, some situations in which the epidural in childbirth is contraindicated , but they are rare, and must be evaluated one by one. Examples include: An infection located on the back or throughout the body; Allergy to the anesthetic compounds used; Some neurological problems; Some problems with blood clotting; Emerging cesarean sections. In short: The epidural is performed by physicians specialized in anesthesiology, it is safe and highly effective after 10 to 15 minutes. Providing pain relief during childbirth represents a huge civilizational advance. Author : António Ramos Meet the anesthesiology team from Hospital da Luz network . Meet the maternities from Hospital da Luz network . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
