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Your Perfect Doula is Available Now! |
I prepared this information for women who are choosing epidural anesthesia to enhance their satisfaction with childbirth. It's my belief that women need to plan their epidurals as carefully as they would plan their unmedicated births. Further, it's my belief that we can maximize the benefits and minimize some of the risks and side effects of epidurals by planning timing, positioning, and coping techniques once the epidural is in place. Whatever your reasons for choosing epidural anesthesia, this packet will provide you with the information you need to make your epidural experience one of the best possible.
In Seattle, the rates of epidural usage at local hospitals range from 40% to 85%. Here are some of the reasons women choose epidural anesthesia:
Advantages and Benefits
Pain relief is adjustable from complete to partial.
Relieves pain while still allowing some movement (varies with dosage and type of epidural).
Mother is awake, even for a cesarean section.
May enhance labor progress if mother is exhausted or very anxious.
May enable a gratifying birth experience if natural coping mechanisms fail.
Just knowing it's available reduces the fear of birth.
Presumed safe for mother and baby.
Preferred by some care providers and nurses.
What You'll Find
Learn about maternal risks, labor and newborn side effects of epidural anesthesia and what you can do about them.
In-depth look at the risks and side effects, how often they occur, and what you can do about it:
Do you have questions, comments, or concerns? Send me feedback here and read what others have said.
Visit my web page to find out about my birth doula and childbirth education practices.
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Your Perfect Doula is Available Now! |