Becoming a mother is the beginning of an incredible journey. Over nine months, you build a beautiful bond with your baby even before you meet them. That connection reaches a life-changing moment when your little one finally arrives. But getting there isn't always easy.
For many, especially first-time moms, the thought of natural childbirth can be intimidating because of the pain involved. In the past, an elective C-section was often the only option for those looking to avoid the intensity of labour. Fortunately, modern medicine has come a long way. Today, there are safe and effective ways to manage pain during childbirth, making the experience more manageable and less daunting.
One such option is known as painless delivery or epidural analgesia. It’s a form of pain relief that supports a normal vaginal delivery while reducing discomfort. Read on to learn more.
What is Painless Delivery?
Painless normal delivery refers to the use of regional anaesthesia, most commonly an epidural, to provide effective pain relief during natural labour. In this method, an anaesthetic drug is administered through an injection in the lower back, specifically into the epidural space of the spine. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes to begin working.
Epidural anaesthesia helps reduce the intensity of labour pain while allowing the mother to remain conscious and actively participate in the birthing process. This option can be especially beneficial for women with a lower pain threshold who might otherwise consider a C-section due to fear of labour pain.
How Is the Epidural Anaesthesia Administered?
To receive an epidural, you’ll likely be asked to sit still with your back slightly arched, or to lie on your side - positions that help the anaesthetist access the lower spine. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is carefully inserted into the epidural space in your lower back using a needle. Once the catheter is in place, the needle is removed and the catheter is secured with tape, allowing for continuous or repeated administration of the anaesthesia throughout labour.
The epidural is typically given once you are in active labour. It works by numbing the pelvic area and everything below it, significantly reducing pain while allowing you to remain fully conscious and alert. However, it's important to note that while an epidural can provide substantial relief, it may not eliminate all pain entirely.
What to Expect After the Epidural Is Administered
Once the epidural takes effect (usually within 10-15 minutes), you’ll begin to feel significant pain relief while remaining fully conscious and able to participate in the birthing process. Although the sharp pain of contractions is greatly reduced, you may still feel some pressure or tightening. Some women experience a sensation of heaviness or numbness in the legs, which typically means they’ll need to remain in bed for the duration of painless labour and delivery.
After the epidural is in place, both you and your baby will be closely monitored. Your blood pressure will be checked regularly, as epidural anaesthesia can sometimes cause it to drop. Continuous fetal monitoring is also done to ensure your baby is coping well with labour. Since the anaesthesia can affect your ability to feel when your bladder is full, a urinary catheter may be inserted to help drain urine during labour.
The anaesthetist can adjust the level of pain relief through the catheter as needed, based on your comfort and the stage of labour. In some hospitals, patient-controlled epidural pumps allow you to administer small, safe doses yourself. After your baby is born and the placenta is delivered, the medication is stopped and the catheter is removed. Sensation usually returns to your lower body within a few hours, and most women regain full mobility soon after delivery.
The Advantages of Epidural
- Painless delivery allows women to experience natural childbirth with minimal medical intervention, helping reduce the number of elective C-sections in India.
- An epidural can be given during labour if the mother feels she can’t tolerate the pain, is too exhausted to continue pushing, or in case of an emergency requiring an urgent C-section.
- Pain relief helps the mother remain calm, focused, and more in control throughout a normal delivery.
- It promotes relaxation, reducing the risk of exhaustion and emotional distress that can contribute to post-partum complications.
- Relaxation of the pelvic and vaginal muscles can help the baby descend more easily through the birth canal.
- It may help lower the mother's blood pressure, which can rise to dangerous levels during labour.
READ: Types of Childbirth: Vaginal Delivery, Water Birth and more
The Risks or Side Effects of Epidural
- While an epidural is generally considered safe for both mother and baby, it may cause some side effects in certain cases. These can include fever, nausea, dizziness, shivering, back pain, and, in rare instances, breathing difficulties.
- Some women may experience severe, migraine-like headaches if a small amount of the anaesthetic leaks into the spinal fluid. Labour may also take slightly longer when an epidural is used, as it can reduce the urge to push.
- After childbirth, some mothers may have difficulty passing urine due to numbness; in such cases, a catheter may be temporarily required. The numbness in the lower body may also delay your ability to walk for a few hours. In rare cases, a drop in the mother’s blood pressure may decrease the baby’s heart rate. If this happens and doesn’t resolve quickly, an emergency C-section may be necessary.
READ: Tips to Ensure a Healthy Pregnancy and Delivery
Take Away
Other forms of painless delivery you may consider include using Entonox (a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen inhaled through a breathing mask) and water birth. Epidural-assisted painless delivery has helped many women experience a more positive and manageable natural birth. However, it’s important to make this decision in consultation with your gynaecologist, after carefully weighing the pros and cons based on your needs and medical condition.
