Posts

Using Epidural Anesthesia During Labor: Benefits and Risks

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Using Epidural Anesthesia During Labor: Benefits and Risks

Epidural anesthesia is a regional anesthesia that blocks pain in a specific part of the body, making it the most preferred method of pain relief during labor. Women request it by name more than any other pain relief method. The primary aim of an epidural is to provide analgesia, or pain relief, rather than total anesthesia, which results in a complete absence of sensation. Epidurals work by blocking nerve impulses from the lower spinal segments, and over 50% of women in hospitals opt for this type of anesthesia during childbirth.

Types of epidurals?

Regular Epidural: Once the catheter is positioned, a mix of a narcotic and an anesthetic is delivered either through a pump or by periodic injections into the epidural space. To supplement the higher doses of anesthetic required, narcotics such as fentanyl or morphine are used.

Combined Spinal-Epidural (CSE) or “Walking Epidural”: An initial dose of narcotic, anesthetic, or both is injected into the intrathecal space, located just beneath the outermost membrane covering the spinal cord and deeper than the epidural space. After this, the anesthesiologist retracts the needle to the epidural space, inserts a catheter through the needle, removes the needle, and leaves the catheter in place for continuous pain relief. This method offers more mobility in bed and the ability to change positions with assistance. You can request additional epidural pain relief through the catheter if needed. Generally, CSE provides pain relief for 4-8 hours.

Benefits  of Epidurals During Delivery

  • Potential for a painless delivery.
  • Allows rest during prolonged labor.
  • Can enhance the childbirth experience by reducing discomfort.
  • Essential for cesarean delivery, enabling you to remain awake and providing effective pain relief during recovery.

 

Risks of Epidurals During Delivery

  • Low blood pressure: Approximately 14% of women experience a drop in blood pressure with an epidural, which is typically not harmful. Healthcare professionals will monitor your blood pressure closely, administering fluids and medication as needed to maintain it.
  • Loss of bladder control: The epidural may numb the nerves around your bladder, making it difficult to sense when it’s full. A catheter may be inserted to manage urination until the epidural’s effects wear off.
  • Nausea and vomiting: Opioid pain relievers used in epidurals can cause nausea and vomiting as side effects.
  • Fever: About 23% of women with an epidural develop a fever, compared to 7% without one. The cause of the temperature increase is unclear.
  • Permanent nerve damage: Although rare, there’s a slight risk of permanent sensory or motor loss in the legs.

Other complications

Very rare complications include seizures, severe breathing difficulties, and in extremely rare cases, death.

When is an epidural NOT an option?

  • If taking certain medications
  • With heavy bleeding or low platelet counts
  • In the presence of an infection on or near the back
  • If experiencing hemorrhage or shock
  • Labor is progressing too rapidly
  • The epidural space cannot be located
  • Inadequate dilation (less than 4 cm)
  • Abnormal blood work

Considerations and Restrictions:

Discuss the benefits and risks of epidural anesthesia with your anesthetist to make an informed decision. While epidurals offer significant pain relief, they come with potential side effects. Your decision should be based on your personal pain tolerance and preferences.

Disclaimer

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/natural-birth-vs-epidural

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/pain-risks-epidurals

Stages of Pregnancy

Stages of Pregnancy

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Stages of Pregnancy

Within 24 hours after fertilization, the egg that will become your baby rapidly divides into many cells. By the eighth week of pregnancy, the embryo develops into a fetus. Pregnancy is counted as 40 weeks, starting from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period. These weeks are divided into three trimesters. Your estimated date of birth is only to give you a guide. Babies come when they are ready and you need to be patient.  Below we explore the stafes of pregnancy:

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters:

  • First trimester – conception to 12 weeks
  • Second trimester – 12 to 24 weeks
  • Third trimester – 24 to 40 weeks.

The moment of conception is when the woman’s ovum (egg) is fertilized by the man’s sperm to complete the genetic make-up of a human fetus. At this moment (conception), the sex and genetic make-up of the fetus begin. About three days later, the fertilized egg cell divides rapidly and then passes through the Fallopian tube into the uterus, where it attaches to the uterine wall. The attachment site provides nourishment to the rapidly developing fetus and becomes the placenta.

The start of Stages of Pregnancy?

Medical professionals measure pregnancy week 1 from the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period. This is called the gestational age, or menstrual age. It’s about two weeks ahead of when conception actually occurs. Although a woman is not actually pregnant at this point, counting week 1 from the last menstrual period can help determine a woman’s estimated pregnancy due date. Your healthcare provider will ask you about this date and will use it to figure out how far along you are in your pregnancy.

How early can I know I’m pregnant?

From the moment of conception, the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) will be present in your blood. This hormone is created by the cells that form the placenta (food source for the growing fetus). It’s also the hormone detected in a pregnancy test. While you may get a positive POAS test at 3 weeks, it’s a good idea to wait a week or two and test again to confirm. A blood test also can detect hCG and is more sensitive than a urine test. Pregnancy can detect pregnancy as early as 6 days after ovulation, you could be able to confirm your pregnancy at/around 3 weeks.

Stages of Fetal Development

During the first trimester, your body undergoes many changes. Hormonal changes affect almost every organ system in your body. These changes can trigger symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your period stopping is a clear sign that you are pregnant. 

The developing baby is tinier than a grain of rice. The rapidly dividing cells are in the process of forming the various body systems, including the digestive system. The evolving neural tube will eventually become the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

First trimester (week 1–week 12)

  • 1 and 2: Getting ready
  • 3: Fertilization
  • 4: Implantation
  • 5: Hormone levels increase
  • 6: The neural tube closes
  • 7: Baby’s head develops
  • 8: Baby’s nose forms
  • 9: Baby’s toes appear
  • 10: Baby’s elbows bend
  • 11: Baby’s genitals develop
  • 12: Baby’s fingernails form

Second trimester (week 13–week 27)

Most women find this second trimester easier than the first. But it is just as important to stay informed during all stages of pregnancy.

You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move. Fetal development takes on new meaning in the second trimester. Highlights might include finding out your baby’s sex and feeling your baby move.

  • 13: Urine forms
  • 14: Baby’s sex becomes apparent
  • 15: Baby’s scalp pattern develops
  • 16: Baby’s eyes move
  • 17: Baby’s toenails develop
  • 18: Baby begins to hear
  • 19: Baby develops a protective coating
  • 20: The halfway point
  • 21: Baby can suck his or her thumb
  • 22: Baby’s hair becomes visible
  • 23: Fingerprints and footprints form
  • 24: Baby’s skin is wrinkled
  • 25: Baby responds to your voice
  • 26: Baby’s lungs develop
  • 27: At 27 weeks, or 25 weeks after conception, your baby’s nervous system is continuing to mature. Your baby is also gaining fat, which will help his or her skin look smoother.

Third trimester (week 28–week 40)

Some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue. Plus, many women find breathing difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. This is because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Your baby will open his or her eyes, gain more weight, and prepare for delivery.

  • 28: Baby’s eyes partially open
  • 29: Baby kicks and stretches
  • 30: Baby’s hair grows
  • 31: Baby’s rapid weight gain begins
  • 32: Baby practices breathing
  • 33: Baby detects light
  • 34: Baby’s fingernails grow
  • 35: Baby’s skin is smooth
  • 36: Baby takes up most of the amniotic sac
  • 37: Baby might turn head down
  • 38: Baby’s toenails grow
  • 39: Baby’s chest is prominent
  • 40: Your due date arrives

As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your doctor will check your progress with a vaginal exam as you near your due date. Get excited as the final countdown has begun.

Don’t be alarmed if your due date comes and goes with no signs of labor starting. Your due date is simply a calculated estimate of when your pregnancy will be 40 weeks. It does not estimate when your baby will arrive. It’s normal to give birth before or after your due date.

Disclaimer

The information on stages of pregnancy, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Preferences:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth

https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/

Doctor holding a newborn baby immediately after delivery in a hospital.

Understanding the Most Critical Birth Complications

/0 Comments/in , /by

Childbirth is a profound moment that marks the arrival of a new life. While it is a time of joy and celebration for many, it can also present serious challenges and complications that require immediate and effective medical intervention. Knowing about the most critical birth complications can help expectant parents prepare for the unexpected and ensure the best possible care for both mother and child. This article delves into the “Most Critical Birth Complications” to provide you with essential knowledge and preparedness strategies.

1. Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys, during pregnancy. If not properly managed, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a severe complication that causes convulsions and, potentially, both maternal and infant mortality. Immediate medical intervention to manage blood pressure and prevent seizures is critical.

2. Obstetric Hemorrhage

One of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide is obstetric hemorrhage, which is severe bleeding during or after labor and delivery. The most common reasons include placental abruption, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding after the birth). Treatment often involves rapid blood transfusion and medications to promote clotting.

3. Uterine Rupture

Though rare, uterine rupture poses a severe risk during vaginal birth, especially in women with a history of cesarean delivery or uterine surgery. This complication occurs when the muscular wall of the uterus tears during childbirth, which can lead to massive internal bleeding and distress for the baby. Emergency surgical delivery is typically required.

4. Preterm Labor and Birth

Preterm labor is labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Babies born prematurely may have significant health issues, including respiratory distress syndrome, cardiovascular complications, and long-term developmental delays. Management might include medications to delay birth, enhance fetal lung maturity, or both.

5. Infection

Infections can be a serious complication both during and after birth. These might include chorioamnionitis (infection of the placental tissues and amniotic fluid) and endometritis (infection of the uterine lining). Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment, alongside supportive care as needed.

6. Perinatal Asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia occurs when the baby does not receive enough oxygen before, during, or immediately after birth. This can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which can cause neurological damage and other severe complications. Immediate resuscitation and supportive therapies in neonatal intensive care units are crucial.

Conclusion: Preparation and Immediate Response are Key

Understanding and preparing for these critical birth complications can significantly impact the outcomes for both mother and baby. Expectant parents should discuss potential risks with their healthcare providers and have a birth plan that includes protocols for handling emergencies.

Proper prenatal care, awareness of the signs and symptoms of complications, and having a skilled medical team can help manage these risks effectively. Remember, while some complications are unpredictable, early detection and intervention can often save lives and improve health outcomes for both mother and infant.

Reference:

  1. World Health Organization (WHO) – Maternal and Perinatal Health
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Pregnancy Complications
  3. March of Dimes – Complications and Loss
  4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – Pregnancy and Birth

Disclaimer

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.