4 Dec /14

Epidural

Epidural anaesthesia is an injection in the area of the spine known as the epidural space commonly used in childbirth for pain relief. These days, this procedure is commonly known simply as an “epidural”. The word derives from ancient Greek with epi as the prefix meaning on and dura from dura mater which is one of the layers of membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Although epidurals were available from the 1940’s – known as caudal blocks because the needle was inserted near the tailbone – it wasn’t until the 1970’s that the epidural, as we understand it today, became a popular choice of pain relief for women in childbirth. In 1968, The Guardian, a national British newspaper, described the epidural as:a procedure which means a mother can get continuous pain-relief throughout her confinement without any loss of clarity or consciousness. A cocaine derivative is passed into the membrane surrounding the fluid round the spinal cord”.

The funny thing about the epidural is, despite its marvelous ability to completely numb you from the waist down when you really need it, many women still refuse this medical intervention, choosing instead to go for a natural birth. Regardless of the fact that childbirth is pretty much the most painful experience a person can ever experience, many women are determined to overcome the pain either by themselves, psychologically, or through alternative methods such as hypnotherapy. Why do that to yourself, you ask? Well, firstly it prevents the issue of side-effects occurring in the mum or baby after the birth and secondly epidurals can actually prolong labour causing complications. Even the midwives aren’t inclined to hurry along the anesthetist, instead offering various motivational statements including, “Womens bodies are built for this; this is natural!” But you have to wonder about the accuracy of this, since until the first half of the 20th century, childbirth was a big killer of perfectly healthy women – is there a design flaw somewhere?

Still, for some, the epidural detracts from what is thought to be a kind of rite-of-passage into motherhood, and many women feel pressure to face the test or guilty if they took the epidural. Provided there were no dangerous complications, mums love a good chat about their birthing experience – how long they labored for, how supportive their partner was. Childbirth is a crazy experience – it’s the only time you’ll be forgiven for clawing at a nurse’s arm screaming “give me some drugs, for god’s sake!!” – but since the outcome is small, pink and cuddly, you find yourself forgiving the whole process quite quickly. Epidurals are great and take the fear out of the whole situation, and women shouldn’t feel pressure on the topic, but an epidural-free birth that goes well, though tough, can be a special life experience.