Recommend epidurals?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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I'm pregnant & assumed that epidural would be the way to go @ delivery. My doc feels certain that there are more effective ways of pain control -- deep breathing, self-hypnosis, etc... What are your opinions on this? Do epidurals have potentially major complications? From what you've observed or personally experienced, would you recommend an epidural?

I'm 33 yo and this is my first child.

Epidurals do have some risk to them. I wouldn't wash the idea totally down the drain as I've seen them work to help relax the mom so that the baby could descend. I've seen dramatic progress with them when used like this, but I can't recommend that everyone coming through the doors of L&D use this method without research.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.
help relax the mom so that the baby could descend. I've seen dramatic progress with them when used like this

By the same token, you've never seen them stall labor? (I guess that's hard to know though b/c you don't know how a particular labor would have gone without)

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By the same token, you've never seen them stall labor? (I guess that's hard to know though b/c you don't know how a particular labor would have gone without)

I have seen it both ways. Sometimes they do seem to slow things down a bit, especially if given before an adequate labor pattern is established. Then we intervene with Pitocin. But I have also seen it help labor progress when Mom is just so tense that she can't relax at all and is fighting the contractions. Of course, I've seen Nubain do that too. It's just personal preference.

I don't think every woman should get an epidural, but they do have their advantages for other women. What I want pts to realize is, they will have to del with some labor pain before they can get an epidural, at least at my facility. It is a rare occasion that we give an epidural before 4 cm. So a pt has to get through early labor on their own. Unfortunately, some pts don't realize this and expect the epidural as soon as they walk through the door.

:o

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

Yes, you would think the dr's office would tell them that!

My best friend had a baby recently and they let her get the epi at 1cm. I think it stalled her out, she ended up with a c/s (there were several contributors, but I think the epidural was a part of it). You are right, there are definitely advantages and disadvantages. I wish women could reduce the tension, no matter what method they chose.

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Yes, you would think the dr's office would tell them that!

My best friend had a baby recently and they let her get the epi at 1cm. I think it stalled her out, she ended up with a c/s (there were several contributors, but I think the epidural was a part of it).

I'm sure the epidural placed too early played a large part in it.

:o That is just crazy. She wasn't even in active labor. And now that decision could affect every pregnancy after. :o

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