|
Epidural anesthesia is a very popular method of pain relief during labor. More than 50% of women giving birth at hospitals will use epidural anesthesia.
By doing your research you will gain an understanding of the different types of epidurals, how they are administered, and their benefits and risks. So what exactly is epidural anesthesia? Epidural anesthesia is regional anesthesia that blocks pain in a particular region of the body. The main goal of an epidural is to provide pain relief, rather than anesthesia, which leads to a total lack of feeling. Epidurals block the nerve impulses from the lower spinal segments. This results in decreased sensation in the lower half of the body. There are two main types of epidurals. Regular epidural and combined spinal epidural (CSE). REGULAR EPIDURAL After the catheter is in place, a combination of narcotic and anesthesia is administered either by a pump or by periodic injections into the epidural space. Most hospitals have policies that do not allow persons on labor to get out of bed or eat at this time. You will want to ask about your hospital’s policies about staying in bed and eating. COMBINED SPINAL EPIDURAL (CSE) A spinal block is sometimes used in combination with an epidural during labor to provide immediate pain relief. A spinal block, like an epidural, involves an injection in the lower back. While you sit or lie on your side in bed, a small amount of medication is injected into the spinal fluid to numb the lower half of the body. It brings good relief from pain and starts working quickly, but it lasts only an hour or two and is usually given only once during labor. EPIDURAL BENIFITS
EPIDURAL RISKS
Americanpregnancy.org American Academy of Family Physicians https://www.aafp.org William’s Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. 19. Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms Roger W., M.D., et al, Part 2.
0 Comments
Sometimes life is a pain in the neck, literallySeemingly simple, everyday movements can all add up to terrible neck pain. Stress, poor posture, texting, nursing a new baby, and some sleep positions are all culprits. Eventually, something has to change to get relief, and a complete lifestyle change typically is not possible.
At Medical Massage Group, we treat a lot of neck pain due to a large population of our clients being moms and moms-to-be. So whether it's the side sleeping or postural imbalance during pregnancy, nursing, and care after the baby is born, it's a general complaint. Most recently, we are seeing an increase in neck pain complaints from all of our clients due to stress, computer use, and texting. There's a condition called "text neck" which results from the neck being in extension for prolonged periods looking down at a phone. When clients come in with complaints of neck pain, we determine the cause based on information we gather from the client and from what we can assess posturally. The most prevalent conditions are poor posture, “text neck,” and cervical disc herniation. Other times clients come referred from orthopedists, neurologists, and ob/gyns to address tight muscles, neck strain and pain, and pinched nerves. Our treatment for neck pain is tailored to each client's needs. Treatment options vary from a Therapeutic Massage which involves the manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate general neck soreness or stiffness to a Medical Massage for more complicated issues involving an evaluation by the medical massage therapist with specific outcomes being the basis for treatment. When it comes to topical pain relievers to reduce pain and inflammation, we get positive results from MMG’s in-house Rescue Oil and CBD Daily Intensive cream. The results of these treatments are reduced neck pain, increased ROM (range of motion), and mobility. In cases when there is excruciating pain, spasms, tingling, referral pain, and no relief after treatment, we do suggest they see their doctor. Thus, lifestyle changes, such as better posture while sleeping or using a smartphone, can prevent some of the causes of neck pain, but until habits are broken, stretching, and massage are effective natural solutions. https://www.medicalmassagegroup.com/mmg-blog/end-neck-pain-through-massage 
Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor. A recent Cochrane Review, Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth, showed a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula was present. With the support of a doula, women were less likely to have pain-relief medications administered and less likely to have a cesarean birth. Women also reported having a more positive childbirth experience. Other studies have shown that having a doula as a member of the birth team decreases the overall cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.
Doulas often use the power of touch and massage to reduce stress and anxiety during labor. According to physicians Marshal Klaus and John Kennell, massage helps stimulate the production of natural oxytocin. The pituitary gland secretes natural oxytocin to the bloodstream (causing uterine contractions) and to the brain (resulting in feelings of well-being and drowsiness, along with a higher pain threshold). Historically it was thought that intravenous oxytocin does not cross from the bloodstream into the brain in substantial amounts and, therefore, does not provide the same psychological benefits as natural oxytocin. However, more recent studies indicate that oxytocin administered nasally and/or intravenously may cross from the bloodstream into the brain. Nonetheless, doulas can help mothers experience the benefits of oxytocin naturally without the use of medication.
Americanpregnancy.org
Lindsay Bassett
Licensed Massage Therapist / certified Birth Doula (321) 431-9201
#CertifiedBirthDoula #BirthDoula #Doula #ServicesWithYourGoalsInMind #BrevardDoula #BrevardBirthDoula
|
RSS Feed