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When Epidurals Go Wrong

Epidurals are used in 60 percent of births in the United States. A cathedar is inserted into the space between the vertebrae, also known as the epidural space. Medication is administered through the cathedar, numbing sensation in the lower part of the body. In most cases, the procedure works fine and there are no lasting negative effects. In a small number of cases, things do not go according to plan. Some women experience severe reactions to the epidural. About 1 in 10,000 will experience convulsions. In other cases, medical error during the procedure can lead to severe injury or even … Continue reading →

How to “Act” Like You’re in Labor

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Actress Dianna Agron is doing a little personal research for her upcoming birth scene on the show, “Glee.” She has been getting advice from her mom and friends about what she should do since she has never given birth in real life. What advice would you give Dianna? Obviously she could go with the classic Hollywood birth scene. You probably know it by heart. Woman is doing something ordinary and abruptly either 1) howls in pain over her first contraction or 2) displays a look of horror on her face because her water has broken at a completely inopportune moment. … Continue reading →

The First Stage of Labor

Your doctor or your childbirth instructor may mention the stages of labor. There are three stages of labor. The division between these three stages is clearer cut on paper than it is in real labor; they exist to help describe where a woman is in the labor process and nothing else. They may seem to blend together during the actual experience. The three stages of labor are dilation (and effacement), pushing, and birthing the placenta. The first stage of labor is often the longest, especially for first time mothers. The cervix must completely open and stretch back into the upper … Continue reading →

Should I Or Shouldn’t I?

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You’re in the midst of painful contractions, you’re exhausted, you feel as though you can’t take it any longer and your birth plan is tucked in a folder somewhere in your suitcase. After months of planning and decisions, you’re about to throw the towel and beg for mercy. The nurse offers an epidural, even though you originally said you didn’t want one. Should you take it? First of all realize that you are not a failure if you decide to take the epidural, but do ask yourself a few questions before you change your mind. How strongly did you feel … Continue reading →

My Experience With Natural Childbirth, Part 1

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People are always shocked to hear that I had my son without any pain medication. Even the nurses who cared for me were surprised when I turned it down. My doctor made a remark about not remembering the last time he did a non-medicated delivery. Am I really that rare? To me, choosing not to use pain medication was an easy decision for many reasons. 1. I preferred to be fully alert during the entire process. 2. I did not want to risk being subjected to any side effects. 3. I did not want to expose my son to such … Continue reading →

Patient Controlled Epidural Anesthesia

Women choosing epidural anesthesia for the birth of their babies now have a new option in many hospitals. Across the country and around the world hospitals are beginning to offer patient controlled epidural anesthesia. In traditional epidurals, the pain medication is administered automatically through the epidural. With patient controlled anesthesia, the woman pushes a button to increase the pain medicine. When you feel you need more relief, push the button. It is not possible to take too much, as it is set not to go past the maximum safe dosage. There are several benefits to this method, compared to the … Continue reading →