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When Mom Controls the Epidural: Less Drug, Better Outcomes Study Says
More control for moms in labor?
A study presented a the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine annual meeting yesterday tells us that when a woman is in control of her epidural, she will give herself less of a drug dose than when the dose is automatic. And that’s a good thing.
The researchers studied pregnant women who were randomly assigned to three groups: one given a standard continuous infusion of anesthesia (the most common set up during labor), a continuous infusion with mom-control additional option, and patient-controlled anesthesia only.
When mom had control, things turned out better all around (see details below). So why don’t women in labor and delivery have more direct say in their anesthesia?
The women in the first group used an average of 74.9 mg of anesthesia during labor. The second group, 95.9 mg, and the patient-controlled group used the least of all, an average of 52.8 mg.
All groups reported that they were equally comfortable during labor, although the moms who controlled their own drugs said they were in slightly more pain when they pushed. They reported being just as happy with their pain management overall, though.
Since many doctors agree that epidural medication can slow labor down, getting away with less medication overall is a good thing, right?
If you had an epidural during childbirth, did you have a say in the dosing or not? Or would you rather the anesthesiologist take over that job so you could focus on having the baby?
Image: flickr
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When Mom Controls the Epidural in Childbirth: Less Drug, Better … | ChildBirth 101 commented on Feb 11 11 at 5:09 pmmoremadder commented on Feb 12 11 at 4:54 pmThis study confirms my own experience. I controlled my epidural when I gave birth 2 years ago, and was very happy with it. I tried to minimize my use of it, and stopped entirely when I got close to active labor. I was able to feel the contractions so I could push with them, and as a result my active labor was very short. It was the perfect compromise for me — I didn’t feel prepared to go without the epidural, but I really wanted to be an active participant.
Marj commented on Feb 13 11 at 3:09 pmThat’s very interesting. I’m sure this study will have many repercussions on women’s medicine.
Anna commented on Feb 17 11 at 12:50 pmI hope doctors and hospitals listen up to this one. I asked about different options, and the only epidural available was the standard continuous. I wanted to give birth without pain medication, but after a very long labor I agreed to an epidural.
With my first birth, it was ok. I could still feel contractions a bit (which I appreciated), and was still able to move the lower half of my body, which was very helpful when pushing. But I would have liked to feel more.
With my second birth, it was completely different. I was totally numb from the chest down, and felt like a tree trunk. I had no idea when contractions were happening, and could only wiggle my toes. Luckily, my pushing was minimal. If I had to push as long as I did with my first one, I think the complete absence of feeling would have made it difficult.
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