An Epidural For the Lady?

“Give me the f*@k!n epidural!”

The above quote, to the best of my recollection, comes from the film The 40-Year Old Virgin, but it just as well could originate from any number of films involving birth and labor and the immediate need for some relief from the discomfort that so often accompanies this painful miracle. For the uninitiated, an epidural is an injection of a local anesthetic into the epidural space around the spinal chord to numb the pain and discomfort of labor and childbirth. There are two kinds of epidurals – conventional, which involves blocking all sensation from the waist down, and something called a “walking epidural” which uses a combination of local anesthetics and painkillers in a relatively low dosage. Many women who have experienced the joys and ardors of childbirth swear by the miracles of the epidural (more than 2/3 of mothers have submitted to epidurals), whereas others swear it off and contend that the administration of an epidural degrades the birth experience and endangers both mother and baby. Two camps, two distinct viewpoints, one objective – get the baby out safely.

While the pro-epidural camp includes most physicians, western medicine adherents, and mothers who are deathly afraid of pain, those who reject the practice include individuals who embrace a very natural childbirth, along with those who have considerable concerns about their safety. The administration of an epidural, in the opinion of many natural childbirth proponents, creates an escalating effect necessitating additional interventions and intrusions: IVs, catheters, blood pressure monitors, and electronic fetal monitors. All of which produce an unnatural experience and reinforce the over-medicalization of motherhood. However, a new look at the epidural procedure, by writer Melinda Wenner Moyer for Slate.com, provides a perspective that largely reinforces the usage of of epidurals. In an opinion piece that is sure to rile many who shun the procedure, Moyer makes a case for epidurals and claims that the concerns voiced by natural birthers are exaggerated. Some anesthesiologists have published books about why women should embrace epidurals, arguing that they might even be beneficial because they reduce the baby’s exposure to labor-pain-induced stress hormones.

While there exists a mountain of research and studies, a definitive answer as to whether epidurals pose a sizable risk to mothers and their babies seems elusive. Moyer admits as much, and speaks to the inherent difficulties in arriving at a conclusion:

“How can scientists tease out the cause-and-effect here? Ideally, they would split laboring women into two groups at random, giving one epidurals and the other no pain medication, and then watch what happens. But most doctors agree that it would be unethical to withhold medication from laboring women in the name of science.”

So the answer is likely no answer, other than to each his/her own and doing the research and honoring your own conviction are likely the best advise to follow. While epidurals do provide some much needed relief for mothers contending with the rigors of childbirth, as with any medical procedure or meddling, there exists a risk…even if it is a small one. What has been your experience with epidurals? Do you feel childbirth and epidurals go together like spring and flowers, of more like oil slicks and pristine beaches? Please share.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Krystal W.

9:11AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

everything has pros/cons ... i for one, don't take pain well... if i felt it were safe enough I would probably opt to have one in the event i were to have a child lol

send a green star

Vanessa S.

7:13PM PST on Feb 13, 2012

Thanks for sharing your birthing stories and opinions. It has proved very interesting.

Hilary E.

7:51PM PST on Feb 10, 2012

While there is certainly compassionate appropriate use of pain medication in childbirth, there is definitely an overuse of drugs in the birth experience. Women have had their power taken away by hospitals and most are not confident that they can make it through labor. In other developed countries (like the netherlands) where natural birth is much much mroe commen women also feel confident that their bodies are designed to give birth and therefore go into it with an expectation to go naturally. Every persons situation is different and no woman should ever feel guilty about using pain meds or having a c-section but know that if you educate and prepare youself you can have an amazing birth experience. I had a natural home birth after 33 hours of labor and it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Nothing can beat the natural endorphin high that comes with natural labor.

Eternal G.

6:22PM PST on Feb 7, 2012

Ta.

Ashley G.

10:32PM PST on Jan 22, 2012

It's certainly not a black-and-white issue. My PLAN was to do things as naturally as possible, and I had the support and guidance of a wonderful team of midwives. But after being 2 weeks overdue w/ no signs of labor, I decided it was best/safer to be induced. And as most people who've had the pitocin can attest, the contractions come on hard and fast! And since I was already hooked up to IVs and monitors, all those strategies I'd learned for managing the pain were mostly useless-couldn't move around, change my position much, get into a warm tub w/ jets, etc..The contractions were so intense and there was no time to recover between them, I just began to curl up into a totally incoherent ball of pain. So yes, with the last of my ability to speak, I demanded the freaking epidural!(and here I'd thought I had a high pain tolerance!) I'm really glad I did, because things became more complicated. I was in active labor for 2 hours-I wasn't so numb that I couldn't feel when to push, and I was doing my best, but something was wrong. Turned out my son had the cord wrapped around his neck and was "stuck"-they had to break out the vacuum extractor, which fortunately worked-we narrowly avoided an emergency C-section, but it was rough-I was cut/torn, the midwife had to reach in and untangle him as he was crowning, and, boy am I glad I didn't have to feel all that and that I was able to have some presence of mind during the whole process! If I do it again, I'll attempt to go as natural as po

Jane R.

6:40PM PST on Jan 21, 2012

When I was at the hospital to have my daughter I was left alone so long that I was already in the bearing down stage before any of the nurses realized it. The doctor came into the delivery room wearing a suit, he didn't have time to change into scrubs. He verbally chastized the nurses.
He told me to sit up (twice) so he could give me an epidural. I couldn't, I was in the middle of a contraction and bearing down. I don't think that at this point in the delivery I needed one, it was over in a matter of minutes.
Mothers (and schools) should educate girls on what to expect during a delivery. I had no knowledge at all.
Those who do choose to have an epidural should only have it in the very last stages of the delivery. Why take chances of it harming your child? However mine was so late it wasn't even necessary.

Joan W.

6:37PM PST on Jan 21, 2012

I have had 4 children, 3 of them various kinds of breech deliveries. (I have an anthropoid pelvis: flat across, so no way for a baby's head to become wedged.) #1 was pre-epidural days, delivered feet first, with anaesthesia. She ws groggy for 3 days - but all was well. #2 was shoulder first and had to be turned repeatedly: thank heaven for the epidural! #3 was bottom first: ditto!! This may be the most important: #4 was head first, but the cord was around her neck. My doctor heard her heart slow - pure chance he was listening for it at that instant - rushed my gurney into the delivery room himself and delivered my fourth daughter safely. Although officially her birth record begins "terminal fetal distress," she had no ill effects. 41 now, she's a nurse herself, and the mother of 2. My doctor assured me if I had not already had the epidural when her heart slowed we'd have lost her since I could not have stood the pain of a rapid forcepts delivery and there was no time for an anaesthetic to take effect. I am 100% behind epidurals for all mothers-to-be who want them, and shall forever be glad they were available to me way back in the 60s.

Ryder W.

12:28AM PST on Jan 21, 2012

my mom gave birth to me at home, without an epidural, because she didn't want the drugs getting into my bloodstream. i think that was really selfless of her, and her strength amazes me all the time.

Tammy H.

12:09PM PST on Jan 20, 2012

Although I believe it's a very personal decision and that no judgement should be attached to a woman's decision, I strongly believe that if more women were to learn about the evolution of the epidural and how other cultures view labor, many less women would have an epidural. That said, the important part is to EDUCATE yourself on the issues so you can make an informed decision. I also don't think the epidural itself is evil, but I do think that the way our culture portrays labor and delivery puts a very skewed view out to the public. Good luck to anyone making the decision, and just read up on it! A great book for any pregnant woman or mother that touches on some of these issues is "The Baby Catcher" by Peggy VIncent is a great read.

Kristy P.

10:42AM PST on Jan 20, 2012

Epidurals can be a godsend, yes. But when they are overused (which they are by far) they do increase risks for both the baby and the mother. It is proven that we CAN change the circumstances of our babies births. This requires the right kind of support and information as well as trust in our bodies. Do we have complete control over the birth? No of course not, you cannot control nature.
On a side note, I would like to mention for all those pregnant moms out there that are growing nice big babies. Having a larger than average baby does not mean you are going to have any problems whatsoever. Often your body will grow a baby that your body can birth. Both of my girls were over 9lbs and everything went wonderfully!