The Pros And Cons Of Childbirth

Four years later, I got pregnant. I was nervous, scared and anxious. The doctor I saw said that I could have a VBAC(vaginal birth after c-section). I raided the library and read books on that subject. It was then I found out that the United States had the highest incidence of C-sections in the world. Research shows that epidurals increase the use of other interventions that themselves carry risks. These interventions include electronic fetal monitoring (which has shown to increase the likelihood of a cesarean without improving outcome), I. V oxytocin, and instrumental delivery. Epidurals also deprive women of a sense of mastery over labor. Goer, Henci. "Epidurals Myth Vs Reality." Childbirth Instructor Magazine Winter 1995: 17-22

According to the American Pregnancy organization “more than 50% of woman giving birth at hospitals use Epidural Anesthesia”. These women turn to epidural to relieve the pain of labor; however this decision poses many risks to both mother and child. An epidural is a type of regional anesthesia where pain medication is administered to the lumbar and sacral region of the back near clusters of nerves. The placement allows for nerve impulses to be blocked from the lower regions of the body resulting in decreased sensations. Although the epidural is known for taking pain away it could very well cause it too. Epidurals include the use of various narcotics and have side effects like hypotension, fever, fetal malposition, decreased fetal heart rate, respiratory depression, breastfeeding complications, an increased likelihood of operative vaginal delivery and cesarean and many more. These are the effects faced in result to a procedure that is not definite to work. In Fact “One in every 8 women” (OAA) will experience inadequate pain relief and must venture to other means of medication. Therefore, mothers should abstain from epidural anesthesia due to the risks it poses to themselves and to the fetus.

A study conducted from 1997 to 2006 shows an increase of Medicare patients receiving an epidural of one hundred and two percent per 100,000 people (Manchikanti). Epidurals allow the blockade of discomfort in a specific area with an injection of an anesthetic directly into the epidural space, located along the spinal column just below the spinal cord; however, the goal of this administration route is not to eliminate total lack of feeling but to provide the patient with relief from strain so they may continue their activities of daily living. Pain, the body’s number one defense mechanism, transmits signals through nerves to the final destination of the brain. By blocking irritated nerve signals with an epidural, the mind and body can relax. Narcotics, an alternative option for uneasiness, only last for a limited amount of time and require frequent administration, while epidurals possess a longer mechanism of action and only require a one-time injection. Therefore, it remains as the primary line of method of pain alleviation for labor. Epidurals provide effective pain relief for expectant mothers without causing harm to her or the newborn baby, which has, caused a dramatic increase in the popularity of epidurals over the past decade.

Only women are permitted during the labor and delivery of an infant. While in labor, women commonly express pain through facial expressions, verbalizations, and body movements. Women of these groups are often mistakenly considered to need more pain medication due to their level of expression throughout

Healthcare providers, like midwifes, want the best outcome for their patients, but because some healthcare providers are more educated on the current hospital practices, they believe that pain medication is the only way to have a minimally painful labor and birth. According to Gaskin (2011), “Mainstream US culture teaches people that pregnancy and birth are illnesses for which hospital treatment is necessary. This cultural conditioning shapes people’s thinking about labor and birth in ways that few question” (p. 51). People do not realize that there could be multiple healthy ways to deliver a baby. In the hospital this semester, I have noticed that one of the major interventions that was pushed on or recommended to women were epidurals. Almost every patient that I saw on the labor and delivery unit had an epidural or had a plan to get an epidural. In post conference, one of the other students told about one of the patients that they encountered. This very young soon-to-be mom did not want any pain medications. According to the student, the nurses, doctor, and anesthesiologist were very adamant upon her getting an epidural because it would relieve her pain and help progress her labor. Even though this patient would reject it each time it was asked, they still continued to ask. This constant

There are several people that cannot make up their mind. Things do not go as planned and spontaneous things just occur. During pregnancy, the mothers plan their birth plan and the procedure that they would like. Things just happen, and they need to change their plans. There are several debates on the best birth plan. With continuous debates on epidural and natural childbirth, it is difficult to see if one or the other has more benefits. Further investigation will reveal the facts and science along with experiences with epidural and natural childbirth. If there are less factors that cause harm using epidural than natural birth, then they will prefer epidural over natural birth.

Epidural anesthesia may be done to numb the area above or below the injection. It is often used during childbirth and after major abdominal or chest surgery. It takes 10–20 minutes to begin working.

There is enough footage and personal stories of childbirth for anyone to know how excruciating it can be to give birth. This could be one reason why more mothers are asking for epidural anesthesia in order to avoid labor pain. This medication is injected into a small space outside the spinal cord in the lower back. Why is this becoming more popular and is it even safe?

There are very few non pharmacological options when it comes to pain control for laboring women. This implementation plan will discuss the benefits of implementing the water birth as a mode of pain control. It will include details of the water labor protocol that is to be proposed, resources needed for the implementation, time frame, cost, instruments used, data collection methods, facilitators, and barriers to the protocol.

Outcome: Consistent pain monitoring and reevaluating. Pain management through opioid medication and non-medication methods. We attempted to use ice packs as pain relief. Patient was unreceptive to the use of pain medication because it did not help his pain. Opioid medication relieved pain for this patient, however pain was consistently rated as 8.

According to the authors (Tussey, et. Al., 2015) “Because limited research is available on the use of exercise or peanut balls with women with an epidural, the research question was generated from a growing trend in hospital labor and birth units to use such balls” (p. 22).

Pharmacological comfort measures can provide partial or complete pain relief. The epidural is the most efficient way of reducing labor pain. Opioids can be given continuously or in intermittent doses at the patient 's request or through the patient controlled pump. There is the potential for these drugs to have some effect on the fetus, such as breathing difficulties that may require assistance through the use of Narcan. Providing pain relief during the labor process is solely the patient’s choice, and as the nurse only support and encouragement should be given for however she chooses to handle the pain. (Jansen, Gibson, Bowles, & Leach, 2013)

Childbirth is a beautiful thing. After the hours of labor, there is nothing more special than having the newly mother able to hold her child the minute after it’s born. It makes the pain that you had just experienced go away because all that matters in the world is that newborn child in your arms. During labor, every woman has her own experience but one common experience is the pain. According to Kitzinger (1978) “Labor pain can have negative or positive meaning, depending on whether the child is wanted, the interaction of the laboring woman with those attending her, her sense of ease or dis-ease in the environment provided for birth, her relationship with the father of her child and her attitude to her body throughout the reproductive

Pregnancy and childbirth are a part of nature. Delivering a child can be a beautiful experience. However, delivery can also be very painful and can last for days.

types of pain management, so I could decide what the best choice was for me and my baby.