One of the common concerns is the anesthesia to be used during childbirth and its effects. While anesthesia is not typically preferred during normal delivery, various methods are used to reduce the pain experienced during labor.
When choosing the method of anesthesia for childbirth, it is appropriate to select the one that causes the least complications for the mother and poses the least risk to the baby.
Epidural Anesthesia
Epidural anesthesia or childbirth epidural is a procedure in which a local (regional) anesthetic is injected into the lower back region of the mother. This procedure significantly reduces the pain and discomfort the mother feels while still allowing her to sense uterine contractions. With an epidural, the mother does not feel pain during normal delivery but can still move and be aware of the birthing process.
To make the administration of this anesthesia easier, the mother is typically asked to sit and lean forward or lie down with her knees and legs brought together. These positions help open up the lower back area where the injection will be administered. The area to be injected is cleaned and sterilized with an antiseptic.
The needle is inserted between the spine and spinal nerves. Afterward, the needle is removed, and a small plastic tube is placed, through which the local anesthetic is delivered to the nerves. The anesthesiologist performs these procedures during the intervals between uterine contractions. Therefore, it is very important to notify the doctor when the contractions stop or start.
The pain relief from an epidural typically occurs within 5-30 minutes. Epidural anesthesia can be applied at any stage of labor, but it is generally used when the mother can no longer tolerate the pressure of contractions.
Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal anesthesia, which allows the expectant mother to see her baby immediately after delivery, has become increasingly popular and is now just as commonly preferred as epidural anesthesia. It is not only used for cesarean surgeries but can also be applied in many lower abdominal surgeries (such as hemorrhoids, inguinal hernia, etc.). In general terms, spinal anesthesia is a method that provides regional anesthesia below the level of the spine through an injection between the vertebrae of the lower back.
One of the most common questions expectant mothers ask their doctors about this anesthesia type is, "Does spinal anesthesia cause paralysis?" A review of medical literature shows that, although there are very rare cases of partial tissue or motor damage caused by accidentally hitting a nerve during the anesthesia process, these occurrences are extremely rare and are noted in very few cases. When applied by an experienced anesthesiologist, spinal anesthesia is a very safe method and provides significant benefits. After the spinal needle is inserted, the patient becomes numb from the waist down. As the effects of the needle wear off, the sensation gradually returns, starting with tingling in the legs, followed by feelings of numbness. This is an indication that the anesthesia is wearing off.
General Anesthesia for Childbirth
General anesthesia, in its simplest definition, involves the use of medications to eliminate consciousness. There is no single type of general anesthesia. The method and stages of general anesthesia depend on the type and duration of the surgical procedure. However, the common factor in all applications is that the patient remains unconscious and in a sleep-like state. During a cesarean, general anesthesia is not typically administered through inhaled gases, as is commonly believed. Although such methods exist, modern anesthesia techniques involve intravenous medications to induce sleep, and the procedure is continuously monitored by anesthesia devices, specialists, and technicians throughout the surgery.
General anesthesia, also known colloquially as "narcosis," is often feared due to the anxiety of surgery, and many patients fear the possibility of not waking up or experiencing paralysis. General anesthesia ensures that the pain during a cesarean delivery is completely alleviated. Throughout the anesthesia procedure, the patient's vital signs, such as heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, respiratory rate, and volume, are continuously monitored, and necessary interventions are made as needed.
