Dr. Rowan Molnar : What Mothers to Be Must Know About Epidural Anaesthesia

[Ravi Kumar Jha]

One of the most popular pain relief methods during labour is epidural anaesthesia. Women that wish to prepare themselves for childbirth ought to learn as much as possible about various pain relief methods so that they are better prepared to handle labour and the birth process. Over 50 percent of women use epidural anaesthesia when giving birth at hospitals. Dr. Rowan Molnar, the Staff Specialist Anaesthetist at Launceston General Hospital at Launceston, Tasmania, highlights the different types of epidurals and their benefits and risks.

What is epidural anaesthesia?

Epidural anaesthesia is a type of regional anaesthesia that provides pain relief by blocking the nerve impulses from the lower spinal segments. They are classified as local anaesthetics and are often delivered in combination with opioids or along with epinephrine or morphine to prolong the epidural’s effect. Epidurals are given intravenously prior to active labour. A specialist anaesthetist administers the epidural while the mother lies on her left side or is in a sitting position in order to increase the effectiveness of the epidural.  

Types of epidural anaesthesia

There are two types of epidurals; regular and combined spinal-epidural. The anaesthesiologist decides on the type to be administered to a mother during childbirth. Regular epidurals contain a combination of anaesthesia and narcotic that is administered by periodic injections or a pump. Narcotics like morphine help reduce the adverse effects of the anaesthesia. On the other hand, combined spinal-epidural involves administering an initial dose of narcotic or anaesthetic or a combination of both. The injection is given in the intrathecal area which is the innermost membrane that covers the spinal cord. This type of epidural provides pain relief for 4-8 hours.

The benefits of epidurals

There are several benefits of epidural anaesthesia highlighted by Dr. Rowan Molnar. To begin with, it allows the mother to rest if labour is prolonged. It allows women to enjoy a positive birth experience with minimal discomfort. Those who opt for a caesarean section can stay awake during the procedure. Epidural anaesthesia also helps cope with fatigue, exhaustion and irritability by helping women relax and stay focused during childbirth. Some of the side effects include nausea, backache, a sudden drop in blood pressure or difficulty urinating.

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