When should painless childbirth (epidural) be administered?
Apr 19, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
Epidural analgesia is generally administered when the cervical opening has dilated to 3 cm. During labor, as the fetal head approaches the pelvis, the cervix gradually dilates. Typically, epidural analgesia is given when cervical dilation reaches 3 cm. If administered too early, the anesthetic effect may wear off completely by the time active labor begins.
Generally, epidural analgesia is administered when the cervix has dilated to 3 cm. The detailed explanation is as follows:
During labor, as the fetal head approaches the pelvis, the cervix gradually dilates. Epidural analgesia is typically given when cervical dilation reaches about 3 cm. If the epidural is administered too early, the anesthetic effect may have completely worn off by the time active labor begins. Conversely, if it is administered too late, the medication may not have taken full effect during delivery, thus failing to achieve effective pain relief. The primary function of epidural analgesia is to block sensory nerves and reduce the pain experienced by the mother during childbirth, allowing her to conserve energy and strength for pushing once the cervix is fully dilated.
Women with known coagulation disorders are generally advised against receiving epidural analgesia. After receiving an epidural, some side effects such as headache or nerve injury in the newborn may occur, but these usually resolve spontaneously within a short period. However, if symptoms persist for an extended duration, immediate medical attention is required.
