Epidural anesthesia during labor

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by an Anesthesiologist, anesthesiologist, anesthesiologist - Department of General Surgery & Anesthesia - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Each woman will have a different pain threshold, if the baby is delivered quickly and smoothly, an epidural is not necessary.

1. Learn what is epidural anesthesia?

Epidural anesthesia is a regional anesthetic technique used during labor for pregnant women. This process will be done when the uterine contractions become stronger (the cervix is ​​dilated from 2 to 3cm), the pregnant woman has no abnormality in the blood test results and is in stable health.
Through the injection into the spine, the anesthetic will be put into the spine. It then disperses to the surrounding 2 adjacent areas, creating a feeling of paralysis, loss of pain sensation in the parts that bear the most force during labor.
However, pregnant women still feel pain from abdomen to legs, still fully awake. Therefore, pregnant women can still feel normal uterine contractions and push to give birth.

2. How is epidural anesthesia performed?

The anesthesiologist will conduct an examination before performing the epidural technique. Pregnant women will lie on their sides or sit but their backs are bent like the backs of shrimps so that the gap between the 2 vertebrae is widened. Disinfect the lumbar region and then administer anesthesia under the skin and the gap between the 2 vertebrae. Next, the doctor uses a specialized needle to poke the vertebrae to find the dural space.
A very small plastic tube (about the size of a pen tip) will be threaded through the anesthetic needle into the epidural space to deliver anesthetic and analgesic drugs to the epidural space. Sometimes the catheter can touch a nerve during the insertion, causing a slight electric shock or numbness down one leg. The needle will then be withdrawn and the catheter will be fixed to the woman's back.
A small amount of experimental anesthetic will be administered through the epidural catheter, and the mother is asked to report any unusual sensations. Your blood pressure will be closely monitored. If the test dose is safe, the doctor will add an anesthetic, after 10-20 minutes the drug will take effect, and the mother will feel the pain of childbirth gradually decrease.
Each dose of injection will have an effect of pain relief for 1 hour, the doctor will give additional injections until the mother successfully gives birth to a baby. At this point the epidural catheter will be withdrawn. A pregnant woman's legs will feel normal pain for the next 4-6 hours after giving birth.

3. Should epidural anesthesia be given during vaginal delivery?

Whether or not an epidural is recommended for a vaginal birth depends on the individual case and the doctor's prognosis about how easy or difficult the birth will be.
For cases where labor pain is prolonged and intense, causing the mother to lose strength, weak health status, and psychological distress, an epidural during childbirth is usually the most optimal choice. This helps the vaginal birth to happen quickly and smoothly, and reduces the risk of cesarean section.
Currently, there are many medical facilities applying epidural anesthesia technique. In order for the birth process to take place safely, pregnant women should choose a reputable address, a highly qualified doctor, and advanced specialized equipment. To ensure that the "painless vaginal birth" takes place safely and quickly.

At Vinmec International General Hospital, normal births will be examined and delivered by a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Doctors with many years of experience working in major national and international maternity hospitals will directly undertake, apply the latest techniques and follow the right procedures. Ensure the most gentle and comfortable labor for mothers.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.