Which is the best choice: Natural Delivery or Anesthesia?

Maria WalkerIT 2010

11/11/2013

INTRODUCTION

During childbirth, women must decide on having a natural delivery or using an anesthesia. Each option has its share of benefits and risks. This presentation will provide valuable information on the choice of electing for an epidural. Ultimately, the choice would be what is best for both mother and baby.

What is the difference between a Natural Delivery and Anesthesia?

Natural Delivery:• Allowing nature to take its course• Going through labor and delivery

without medications• There is no risk or harm of side effects

from chemicals• Women feel empowered and in control

of the birth process• Can choose an alternative setting

instead of the traditional hospital setting

• Women are free to move around during their labor, get in positions that are most comfortable to them, and spend time in the tub or jacuzzi.

What is the difference between a Natural Delivery and Anesthesia?

Anesthesia:• A chemical substance that

will temporarily block any sensation or pain from a specific region of the body

• Also known as an Epidural• Provides a reduction of

labor pain without affecting the mother’s mental state

• Decreases production of the mother’s stress hormones

• Allows the mother to remain alert and involved in the labor process

Choosing the Epidural

Can lengthen the overall labor time:• Women who opted for an

epidural had an additional 2.6 hours during their 1st stage of delivery

Have been associated with poor breastfeeding outcomes:• Epidurals can result in lower

oxytocin hormone levels following labor, and oxytocin is one of the hormones that stimulate the breasts to produce milk.

Making the best choice

• With so many co-variants and possible confounds involved between epidural use and natural childbirth, the important thing to remember is that, whatever the choice, it must be best for mother and baby.

• Analgesics and epidurals have positively advanced from its historical predecessors, they have comforted many women during childbirth and have welcomed many healthy babies into this world.

Works Cited

Dozier A, Howard C, Lawrence R, et al. Labor Epidural Anesthesia, Obstetric Factors and Breastfeeding Cessation. Maternal & Child Health Journal [serial online]. May 2013; 17 (4):689-698. Available from: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 23, 2013.

Lieberman, Ellice and O'Donoghue, Carol. Unintended effects of epidural analgesia during labor: A systematic review, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Volume 186, Issue 5, Supplement, May 2002, Pages S31-S68, ISSN 0002-9378, Accessed September 23, 2013.

Roth M. Epidurals and Breastfeeding. Leaven October 2006:74, 77. Alt HealthWatch, Ipswich, MA. Web. Accessed September 23, 2013.

Simkin, Penny. “Weighing the Pros and Cons of the Epidural.” Childbirthsolutions.com. n.d. Web. Accessed September 23, 2013.

Works Cited

http://www.cpmc.org/services/pregnancy/information/labor_stages.html

http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/childbirth/natural_childbirth.html#

https://www.perinatalu.org/products/view-course/id_course/27

http://pregnantindubai.blogspot.com/2011/06/pain-relief-in-labour-epidural.html

http://www.visualphotos.com/image/2x4829252/african_american_mother_bonding_with_baby_boy