Contents
- Myth 1. Posle epidural can paralyze
- Myth 2. This type of pain relief has a negative effect on the child.
- Myth 3. Anesthesia may not work
- Myth 4. There are many bad anesthesiologists in maternity hospitals – they insert the needle five times until they get to the right place
- Myth 5. After an epidural, complications are possible: incontinence, weakness in the legs
- When do doctors refuse to give an epidural
Myth 1. Posle epidural can paralyze
This is partly true.
“Normally, this cannot be so: it is very far from the epidural space to the spinal cord,” says Tatiana Trubina.
The only exceptions are those cases when the procedure is carried out by a non-professional. In our country, no such incidents have been recorded. But in Israel, a woman was suing a hospital: after the introduction of spinal anesthesia, her legs were paralyzed. As shown by independent diagnostics, the anesthesiologist was to blame – he chose the wrong place for the injection of the anesthetic, injecting it higher than necessary. The spinal cord was affected.
Myth 2. This type of pain relief has a negative effect on the child.
It is generally accepted that everything that enters the mother’s body, she shares with the baby. But not in this case.
«No, this does not affect the child in any way, since the injected local anesthetics act only in the epidural space, and enter the general bloodstream in an insignificant concentration. In addition, all these drugs are completely harmless for the child, ”explains the expert.
Myth 3. Anesthesia may not work
Such horror stories can often be found on English-language sites – mothers tell how they had a cesarean section almost live due to anesthesia that did not work. And this is not a myth.
“Yes, it happens. This is due to the fact that it is sometimes difficult to technically correctly administer pain relief (for example, due to the fact that access to the epidural space is limited). However, the percentage of such cases is small, ”the expert says.
Myth 4. There are many bad anesthesiologists in maternity hospitals – they insert the needle five times until they get to the right place
«The success of any invasive procedure (that is, one that involves penetration into the human body through the skin or mucous membranes) depends primarily on the experience of the doctor. However, if it is technically difficult to access the epidural space, several attempts may be required by an experienced anesthesiologist. That is, the main point in this case is not the doctor’s skills, but the anatomical features of the patient, ”Tatiana Trubina is sure.
Myth 5. After an epidural, complications are possible: incontinence, weakness in the legs
We recently talked about a woman who, after a caesarean section under spinal anesthesia, is forced to inject Botox into her bladder to cope with incontinence. She blames the anesthesia for everything.
“Incontinence and difficulty with walking cannot be the consequences of epidural anesthesia, since the corresponding nerves are located in a different area, and the spinal cord is very far from the epidural area,” says the doctor.
When do doctors refuse to give an epidural
«The doctor may refuse to give epidural anesthesia if the uterine pharynx is already sufficiently dilated during childbirth and the persistent period will soon begin. If we block the pain syndrome at this stage, the woman will not be able to push.
In addition, contraindications include injuries that have resulted in changes in the spine; tumors (including those operated on); metal structures and other factors. In the presence of certain neurological disorders, a preliminary additional examination may be required, ”explains Tatiana Trubina.