The Cons
• There is a contentious view on the use
of epidural in early labor. Some experts believe
that if epidural is administered early on it hinders
progress and increases the likelihood of intervention
such as forceps, vacuum or cesarean. On the other
hand some studies show that epidurals received
in early labor hastens the progress.
• For reasons not known women with epidurals
are more likely to develop fever during labor.
The condition has to be medically managed through
IV antibiotic treatment, speeding up labor with
syntocin, forceps, vacuum or cesarean. Since the
cause of fever is not established it becomes necessary
sometimes to check the baby for possible infection
and even give the newborn IV antibiotics for a
few days after birth.
•
Pain relief may not be complete. Contrary to belief,
labor may still be tough, and pushing can still
be exhausting, particularly if it is your first
baby.
• Use of it may cause maternal blood pressure
to drop, causing the mother to feel faint (sometimes)
temporarily. There is also an increase risk of
fetal distress.
• Epidural anesthesia numbs the pelvic nerves
and either weakens the urge to push or causes
it to go away altogether. Contractions become
sluggish and bearing down becomes more difficult.
• Since you are numb from the waist down
to your knees, you will stay confined to bed and
hooked up to machines (epidural pump, IV and fetal
monitor). Your baby will be continuously tracked
on the fetal monitor and a coach may be necessary
if bearing down becomes an issue. The whole experience
becomes medical in nature.
• There is a tendency to feel pain in the
back, shoulders, neck or head for hours and sometimes
days, post delivery.
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