The Hidden Risk of Epidurals

I often hear my clients say that their doctors have told them there are no real risks associated with an epidural...which is just plain false.

Here is good article about some of the risks associated with epidural: The Hidden Risk of Epidurals

Know the facts!

Epidurals & the facts

Epidural! The on-going debate in obstetrics! Let's face it, most women who give birth in a hospital receive a planned epidural. I have heard women say things like "I wanted my epidural at 8 months!" or "I can't do it without an epidural". Unfortunately, many of the women make the decision to get an epidural long before they do any research about the subject. Often times, scary stories and a lack of support from friends, family, and their medical care providers reassure women's fear-based thoughts about childbirth.

I wish, I wish there were more positive birth stories. I wish women supported each other and helped one another realize how powerful they are. I wish care more providers REALLY were "open to anything" as they often times tell the mommies.

Do the research and find the facts! An epidural might be the right choice after all but you should know all of the pros and cons!

Here is an article by Henci Goer author of "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" about Gilbert Grant's new book, "Epidural Without Guilt, Childbirth Without Pain": http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=2215

If you decide you do not want an epidural, you are not alone.

And if you change your mind in labor, you are definitely not alone. Almost all women ask for some kind of pain relief during labor. This is why you surround yourself with positive people who believe in you and your ability to give birth the way you want! But ask yourself, how do I want my birth team to respond when I ask for drugs? Do you want them to help you through another 5 contractions? Do you want them to remind you of your plans? Do you want them to shut up and get you an epidural? It is YOUR BIRTH -- you decide!

Delivery-Day Jitters?

"Delivery-Day Jitters? Let us put your mind at ease" - the headline on the cover of American Pregnancy magazine. I was disappointed at the way this magazine thinks they can ease your mind by addressing normal fears about labor and birth. The first fear was about pain. The woman quoted explains "I wanted an epidural when my pregnancy test came back positive." Fear? Yes. Informed? No. The ONLY way the magazine "eased" your mind was by talking about the epidural and how you shouldn't be worried that the epidural won't "work its magic" because the amazing-miracle-working doctor says "it's not a big deal to put in another one." Great.

As a doula, I'd ease delivery-day jitters by explaining where this pain comes from and provide natural suggestions for pain relief before jumping into an epidural. We must educate women so that they understand the importance of experiencing labor naturally for as long as they can. There is no need to be scared when you have support from all angles - family, partner, doula, nurse, midwife and doctor. Together we can all use our tricks to help women in labor.

Epidurals....

So, why wouldn't I get an epidural? Many people might think that doulas are anti-epidural. I recently read a NY Times article titled And the Doula Makes Four which gave doulas some negative press, I think. I would like to clarify some points about myself as a doula because I can obviously only speak for myself.

As a birth doula, it is my job and goal to provide unconditional, continuous labor support to my clients, epidural or not, planned c-section or not, au natural or not. When I sign on for a job, I commit to offer educational support to the woman so that she can make her own informed decision. I strongly believe that the choices made before, during and after birth are a woman's right and if she has the resources to make an informed choice, we should respect that.

I am proud to be a doula who can support a woman through many different types of labors and births. I respect the woman who chooses to have her baby at home, intervention free. I also respect the woman who decides that she wants some pain relief from an epidural.

So, why are some against epidurals? My guess would be that when a person learns and believes that labor and childbirth are natural processes that occur for a reason, it makes more sense to not mess with that process. Birth is often described as a miracle and some may feel that to intervene or interrupt this miracle would be disrespectful and inhumane. I agree, birth is a miracle and natural is always best. However, what we must remember is that birth is something that occurs within a woman and we must leave the choices surrounding childbirth up to her because after all, it is her body and her birth.

Fear in Childbirth

Fear in Childbirth Video

A nice video made by nursing students attempting to capture the issue of fears about childbirth. I think this video does a nice job of stating facts and research while supporting women by saying that fear is NORMAL and natural. It is important for us to support, educate, and tend to women in labor to diminish their fears and help them have a smooth birth experience. A positive birth experience plays a big role in mother's satisfaction about parenting and her ability to have a baby. We need to let women know that they can do it by providing them with that unconditional care and support they really need and is too often overlooked.