Arvizu: Do You Want Your Epidural Now?
Thursday, February 05, 2015
The common side effects include hypotension, fever, nausea, vomiting and headache for mom while the effects on the baby are more difficult to determine as the amount of drugs that reach the baby will vary based on dosage, length of labor and individual characteristics of the baby. Studies have indicated that some newborns initially experience difficulty latching on to feed after birth with an epidural. Long-term effects on both mother and baby have not yet been extensively studied.Nobody knows exactly what triggers labor in mammals, but research shows it has something to do with the baby’s maturity and the release of oxytocin. The uterus contracts, the cervix dilates, the pelvic bones separate, the vaginal muscles stretch, the breasts prepare to feed - the whole process of labor is controlled by hormones and we can feel all of this happening to our body. And it hurts. When the strongest muscle in your body is ejecting a human baby through a not so large opening – it hurts like a mother, which is why most women in America choose medicated pain relief.
Some women decide they want an epidural even before they’re in labor and others are the opposite who feel very strongly about attempting a natural birth. Loss of control, coupled with the potential side effects of the medication lead Marci Driscoll to her decision to attempt a natural delivery. “My mom didn’t have any medication with me or my brother,” Driscoll explains. “She was my role model for my mindset. I told myself the pain would only last for one day and as soon as my baby was born, it would go away.”
Marci practiced a variety of mindfulness techniques and moved around as much as she could during labor. She also credits her supportive husband and experienced nurse at St. Vincent’s who had lots of creative ideas for helping Marci manage her pain naturally. After her son Charley was born, the pain was gone and she didn’t have to deal with any lingering side effects from the epidural.
Every woman is entitled to a positive birth experience where she is able to make informed decisions. It’s much easier to learn the facts about epidurals and alternative pain relief options before labor has started by taking an informed childbirth class such as Comfort Tools for Labor and Mind Body Connection, both offered this month at Wild Orchid Baby. And like anything else in life that is painful, a little bit of support and confidence go a long way. From the beginning of time up until the nineteenth century, most women delivered their babies at home with a midwife surrounded by supportive female friends and family. Just because the majority of birth takes place in the hospital doesn’t mean we should replace support with medicine – medicine should complement our support when needed.
Unlike the epidural, continuous support in labor increases the chances of a spontaneous vaginal delivery without ANY harmful side effects. Need helping building your support team? Talk to a doula!
Erin Arvizu is the owner of Wild Orchid Baby located at 490 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester.
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