Painless delivery refers to the use of an epidural injection which is given by an anesthesiologist for pain relief during labour. It is injected in the lower back, and a plastic tube is placed through which drugs are released around the spinal cord. It is injected only once when you are in active labour which means you are having at least three contractions in 10 minutes. Epidural doesn’t always provide 100% pain relief, but it substantially reduces pain and sensations in the lower half of the body. In early labour, pain can be managed using natural methods like warm showers, massages, and exercises.
The procedure of a painless delivery is similar to that of a normal delivery procedure except receiving the epidural to ease labor pains. But, as every woman wants to be sure about each and everything when she is planning for her baby’s birth; here is the complete procedure of painless delivery.
Before the active labor begins and prior to the procedure of placing the epidural, the woman will be given intravenous (IV) fluids. In general, a woman may receive around 1 – 2 liters of IV fluids throughout her labor and delivery.
To start the epidural procedure, your anesthetist may ask you to arch your back and remain still either by bending over a pillow, or lying on your side or sitting up. This position makes it easier to insert the needle into the right place and increases the effectiveness of the epidural.
Your lower back will be wiped with an antiseptic solution in order to minimize the chances of infection. Then, a small amount of a local anesthetic will be injected on your lower back to numb the area. A small tube, called a catheter is then threaded through the needle into the epidural space. An epidural space is an area between the bones of the spine and around the spinal nerves.
The needle is then removed carefully while leaving the catheter in place to provide the anesthetic either through injections at regular intervals or by continuous infusion. The catheter will be taped to prevent it from slipping out. After giving the epidural, it takes between 5 and 30 minutes to be relieved from the labor pain.