Epidurals are the most popular form of pain relief among laboring women. For some women the epidural is a good thing and helps relieve the pain of labor. However, in many women the epidural can lengthen the pushing stage of labor. This can lead to other interventions, such as forceps, vacuum extraction or even a c section.
The epidural is administered by a needle being inserted into the epidural space between the vertebrae in the lower back. A catheter is then inserted and the needle removed. Anesthesia is then administered through the catheter. This can be done continuously or controlled by the laboring woman pushing a button.
Epidurals can have benefits, in certain cases. They are good for prolonged labor when the mother is irritated and unable to relax. The epidural helps her relax and focus. During long labors, exhaustion can be a real problem for some women. The epidural allows her to rest and save her strength for later in labor. They are also beneficial for women needing a c section. The epidural allows mothers to remain awake during the procedure.
However, many studies have shown a link between epidurals and a longer pushing stage of labor. Some women find pushing difficult, if not impossible, because they cannot feel or don’t have the urge to push. This often results in other interventions. The most common is that the woman is given the drug Pitocin to stimulate labor.
Several studies show a link between epidurals and an increased risk of forceps or vacuum extraction being used in the delivery. Some have shown that this increased risk can be as high as 50% greater than for women who birth naturally or use analgesic pain relief medications. One way to help reduce this risk is to turn down the epidural before pushing begins. This has shown limited success.
I experienced this effect of the epidural with my second baby. The epidural really slowed down my labor and made the pushing stage much longer than it should have been. The epidural was turned off and Pitocin was increased. The doctor wanted to do a c section, but I refused, since the baby was not showing signs of distress. She eventually needed help from the vacuum during the delivery.