 Introduction into the pain-relief blocks description
Added: 02/19/2006 |
|
Pain-relief blocks for delivery and labor have been designed relatively recently and have already become rather popular thanks to the comfort they provide to pregnant women at different stages of childbirth. There are two main types of pain-relief blocks used in modern medical practice: pudendal block and spinal block. Both of them are aimed at decreasing sensation in the lower areas of the woman's body.
As it has already been mentioned pain-relief blocks are important options used during the childbirth with the purpose of reducing possible labor discomfort and providing either anesthesia or analgesia. Among the most well-known pain-relief options used nowadays are the so-called regional blocks including epidural and spinal blocks. Another pain-relief option used in modern medical practice is pudendal block which is injected into the pudendal canal to ease woman's pain.
It is a common knowledge that pain-relief blocks are administrated into the lower back by a specialist called anesthesiologist. These blocks are used to reduce pain and other possible sensations during the process of childbirth. Speaking about the epidural block I cannot but mention it belongs to the most widely-spread pain-relief blocks. It may be used for labor as well as for vaginal delivery. At the same time it is often used for providing anesthesia for cesarean section. Another type of pain-relief blocks is spinal block which is able to provide labor anesthesia or analgesia for a cesarean delivery. As a matter of fact, both spinal and epidural blocks may be used together in certain complicated cases.
Many women request for epidural block, but it is not so easy and before making this block the doctor must evaluate the condition of both the mother and her baby, take into account their state of health and previous anesthetic experiences, the labor stage and, of course, the baby's responses. An epidural block is administrated below the spinal cord level. By the fact such procedure is often called lumbar epidural block. Epidural block can be either given in the lower back or in the tailbone area. The second variant is called a caudal block. Occasionally, the block may cause brief tingling sensation down one of the legs. It is necessary to be aware that the onset will be gradual that is why pain relief is likely to occur within ten to twenty minutes after the medication injection. Take into account that about 30% of women will still feel some sensations and pressure with contractions. The majority of women might notice a degree of temporary heaviness, numbness and weakness in the legs.
Speaking about another type of pain-relief blocks, a spinal block, it also involves an injection in the lower back. This may cause some numbness. Unlike the epidural block, the spinal block medication is known to be given only once. One of the spinal block's advantages is that it begins to relief pain almost immediately. However, it usually lasts from one to two hours. This kind of pain-relief blocks is often used in cases when pain relief should be provided for a limited period of time (for example, for cesarean delivery).
In conclusion it is very important to pay attention to possible risks and complications caused by pain-relief blocks. They are similar for both spinal and epidural blocks. Although the complications are not common, still some women experience them. One of the general reactions caused by pain-relief blocks is decrease in blood pressure, shivering, headache, etc. That is why the woman's condition should be carefully evaluated before, during, and after the childbirth.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet.
Post your comment now!
Return to top of the page
