As a doula, I support you in whatever method of birth you choose. I have no lesser respect for the woman who chooses an epidural in the hospital than one who has a home waterbirth. Its your birth, your way. I'm here to be in the journey with you.
With that said, I want you to understand fully the option of the epidural, what it does, what its risks are, and the cascade of interventions that typically follow.
This post will be brief and bulleted, but I will go into more details in the next couple days.
Epidural Benefits:
Pain relief from contractions typically within 30 minutes of administration
Ability to rest after a long early/active labor
Ability to conserve energy for the pushing phase
Single time intervention as a tiny tube stays in your back and gives you a continuous infusion (Occasionally, Epidural's have to be done a second time later in labor if the epidural "fails" or is only effective on one side of the body)
Epidural Side effects (Not all mamas experience these):
Temporary drop in blood pressure for mama (resulting in temporary drop in heartrate for baby) resolved with extra IV fluids and maybe meds to bring your blood pressure up.
Back pain
Ringing in ears
Headache (that may last long after birth)
Some epidurals are "one sided" and you only receive relief on one half of your body
Some medication DOES cross the placenta and can make baby "sleepy" for the first couple days after birth
Epidural Cascade of Interventions:
Immobility due to numbness keeps mama in bed and risk of fetal heart rate drop Keeps her on the monitor
Frequent blood pressure monitoring, possible pulse oximetry device on finger
Smooth muscle relaxation may slow down contractions, so doctor may suggest breaking your water or starting pitocin now that you're "comfortable."
Since you cannot get up to the bathroom, a nurse will empty your bladder with a catheter (it's necessary to keep the bladder out of the way)
You will not be allowed to eat, and will only be able to sip clear liquids (and at some places have nothing by mouth). This is counterproductive in giving your body the necessary calories and energy needed for contractions and pushing!
With limited mobility, you may be stuck pushing on your back (making it harder for baby to rotate through the birth canal) and with limited feeling pushing can be difficult to navigate
Pushing time is typically longer with epidural. Most doctors will let you push for three hours (by which time you are exhausted) before suggesting vacuum cup or forceps assistance for delivery.
If baby is very high after 3-4 hours of pushing, the doctor may suggest c-section even if baby is tolerating pushing well
Stay tuned for more information on how to navigate epidurals should you choose to get one during your labor and birth.
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