One possible side effect of an epidural with some babies is a struggle with “latching on” in breastfeeding. Another is that while in-utero, a baby might also
become lethargic
and have trouble getting into position for delivery.
What effects can an epidural have on labor and the baby?
Epidurals are very safe; serious complications are extremely rare. However, as with all medications and medical procedures, there are potential side effects:
Decrease in blood pressure
– The medication may lower your blood pressure, which may slow your baby’s heart rate.
Does epidural affect baby after birth?
Many observational studies have found an association between epidural use and
bleeding after birth
(postpartum hemorrhage). 48–53 For example, a large UK study found that women were twice as likely to experience postpartum hemorrhaging when they used an epidural in labor.
Can epidural cause fetal distress?
Subdural injection of epidural anesthesia is
rare
and is usually undiagnosed during epidural anesthesia causing severely delayed maternal hypotension, hypoxia, and fetal distress.
Is it better to give birth naturally or with epidural?
Benefits. The greatest benefit of an epidural is
the potential for a painless delivery
. While you may still feel contractions, the pain is decreased significantly. During a vaginal delivery, you’re still aware of the birth and can move around.
How long after epidural is baby born?
Women who previously had a child, who usually have shorter labors to begin with, took about an hour and 20 minutes to complete the second stage of labor without anesthesia at the 95th percentile. That compared to
four hours and 15 minutes
with an epidural.
What are long term side effects of epidural?
The most frequently reported maternal effects of epidural or spinal analgesia are prolonged symptoms of
headache, backache and neurological sequelae
. Large retrospective studies of postpartum symptomatology have focused on correlations with regional nerve blockade rather than on other more commonly used analgesics.
What are the disadvantages of epidural?
- It can cause low blood pressure. …
- You may have some side effects. …
- It may make pushing more difficult.
- It may increase your risk for a perineal tear.
- Your lower half may be numb for a while after giving birth. …
- You may have trouble urinating. …
- Risk of respiratory distress for your baby.
Why are epidurals bad?
The needle used to deliver the epidural
can hit a nerve
, leading to temporary or permanent loss of feeling in your lower body. Bleeding around the area of the spinal cord and using the wrong medication in the epidural can also cause nerve damage.
What foods make labor easier?
- Pineapple. There’s nothing quite as sweet as fresh pineapple. …
- Dates. The fruit of the date palm tree, dates are very nutritious. …
- Spicy food. …
- Prego pizza. …
- Maternity salad. …
- The “Inducer” pizza. …
- Eggplant. …
- Cupcakes.
How can I make labor less painful?
- Cardio Exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to — and shouldn’t — stop when you become pregnant. …
- Kegels. Kegels are a small exercise with big impact. …
- Lengthening Exercises. …
- Aromatherapy. …
- Homeopathy. …
- Acupuncture. …
- Sex. …
- Hypnotherapy.
How can I push my baby out fast?
- Push as if you’re having a bowel movement. …
- Tuck your chin to your chest. …
- Give it all you’ve got. …
- Stay focused. …
- Change positions. …
- Trust your instinct. …
- Rest between contractions. …
- Stop pushing as instructed.
When is too late for epidural?
“It’s too late for an epidural
when women are in transition
, which is when the cervix is fully dilated and just before they start pushing. Transition is the really intense bit when lots of women ask for epidurals.
How do you push a baby out with an epidural?
- Kneeling at the foot of the bed, leaning over.
- Semi-prone.
- Semi-sitting with leg supports.
- Side-lying.
- Supine with stirrups or leg supports.
- Supported squat.
Does labor go faster without epidural?
Sometimes even those who plan to have an epidural and have no complications during pregnancy are unable to have one placed. Babies come on their own schedule and occasionally labor moves too quickly for an epidural to be effective.
Can epidurals cause problems later in life?
In rare cases, an epidural can lead to permanent loss of feeling or movement in, for example, 1 or both legs. The causes are:
direct damage to the spinal cord from the epidural needle or catheter
.
infection deep in the epidural area
or near the spinal cord.
