Opting for pain relief

Your spouse is now entering the final weeks of her pregnancy. This is a good time for her to consider whether she intends to use an epidural during the delivery. Epidural anesthesia is a favored option for pain relief. It works by blocking pain in a particular region of the body.
These are some of the advantages of using epidural anesthesia:

• It will allow your spouse to remain relaxed, especially during delayed labor.
  
• She will remain conscious and alert during the labor.
  
• Use of an epidural during a cesarean procedure will eliminate pain during recovery.
  
• It will help your spouse cope with the distress and discomfort of childbirth.
  
• It will allow your spouse to enjoy a positive birth experience.

• Epidural anesthesia may lead to a sudden drop in your spouse’s blood pressure.
  
• It might interfere with your spouse’s ability to push actively during labor.
  
• It has side effects that include shivering, backache, nausea, and ringing in the ears.
  
• It may lead to numbness in the lower part of your spouse’s body.
  
• Rarely, permanent nerve damage may occur.
  
• Studies suggest that epidurals may cause mal-positioning in the unborn fetus.