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Epidurals

Epidural anesthesia is one of the most popular ways to relieve pain during labor. A needle is inserted into the region that surrounds the spinal cord in the lower back. is threaded through the needle into the epidural space to block pain in that particular region.

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What does an epidural help you on?

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Asked by Wiki User

During labor.

Epidural analgesia, sometimes called an epidural block, causes some loss of feeling in the lower areas of your body, yet you remain awake and alert. An epidural block may be given soon after your contractions start, or later as your labor progresses. An epidural block with more or stronger medications (anesthetics, not analgesics) can be used for a cesarean delivery or if vaginal birth requires the help of forceps or vacuum extraction. Your doctors will work with you to determine the proper time to give the epidural.

How dilated do you have to be to be admitted in labor and delivery?

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Asked by Wiki User

Depends. If you have a very straightforward, low risk pregnancy and are not group b strep positive, your baby's heart rate is normal and he/she is active, and there are no other concerns the general rule is:

If you are a first time mom (primipara) you should be 3-4 cm with regular, strong contractions. If you have delivered vaginally before you are usually admitted if you are 4-5 cm with regular strong contractions.

Can you fly after epidural into the spine?

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Asked by Wiki User

There are many reasons you may receive an epidural injection including back injuries. If you need to fly after receiving one you should contact your doctor for specific instructions. In general, you can fly a few days after receiving the injection.

Is 4 cm dilated and 2 station active labor?

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Is 4 cm considered active labor ?

Is epidural procedure safe?

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Although Most Women Have Epidurals With No Problems, There Are Some Potential Side Effects They Should Be Aware of When Choosing This As a Pain Relief Method:
  • Sometimes, an epidural can cause your blood pressure to decrease; this may occasionally cause your baby's heart rate to slow. To decrease this risk, you'll be given fluids through an intravenous line before the drug is injected. Often, just changing your position is all that is necessary to improve blood pressure.
  • After delivery, your back may be sore from the injection for a few days. However, an epidural does not cause long-term back pain.
  • If the covering of the spinal cord is pierced, you can get a bad headache, but this only happens about one percent of the time. It does not always cause a headache, but if one occurs, there are effective ways to treat it. If it's not treated, the headache may last for days, but this is rare.
  • If the epidural has been given for an extended period of time, or if a lot of medication is given late in labor, it may be hard to feel when to push with a contraction. Your labor nurse can help time your efforts if you have trouble, and you should still be able to push effectively.
Source: http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/ArticlePage.aspx?ID=878fabbc-dd11-45d8-8524-fa7831b485a5&LandingID=fc6eb1da-98e4-43c7-bb9f-09c17e2a005d

What is epidural made up of?

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Asked by Wiki User

they use a small needle and make the area numb,then they insert a larger hollow needle into the back,they then thread a catherder into your back,gently remove the larger needle,the cathader stays in place and gives you numbing medicine as you need it-then after the baby is born they gently remove the cath..

Who created epidural block?

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John Bonica was a pioneer and stalwart figure in pain medicine but he did not discover the epidural. Epidural anesthesia and analgesia had been around for many years. It is difficult to pinpoint who 1st described the technique. The 1st use came at the turn of the 20th century when numerous people attempted epidurals for surgical procedures but were met by failure. Over many years articles were published describing "caudal" anesthesia and analgesia which is a cousin to epidurals. Continuous "caudals" were 1st used in the 1940's where the needle would be left in patients for a period of time and a drip of local anesthetic infused into them.

Dr. Bonica has many achievements and is credited with the 1st obstetric epidural in the Pacific NW. His wife nearly died in childbirth from open drop ether anesthesia and for the birth of his 2nd child Dr. Bonica placed an epidural into his own wife.

Can an epidural go wrong?

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Asked by Wiki User

very rare but possible yes

Do epidural shots work?

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Asked by Wiki User

No. The medication is assimilated (absorbed) by the body. The amount of time it takes to absorb depends on the type of medication being administered. The amount of relief provided depends not only on the type of medication, but the amount, and the condition being treated. Do not forget about individual physiology. No two people react identically to the same treatement.

Is epidural an intravenous injection?

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Asked by Wiki User

By definition an epidural is a shot that goes into the epi-outmost, dura- part of the spinal cord. In simple terms it is a long needle place between your back bones into the edge of the spinal column. An IV is place intravenously; meaning in the veins. There is medication for pain that can be given IV if one does not want and epidural. However, medication given in the blood stream may affect unborn children whereas medication in the spinal column does not.

What does epidural mean?

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Asked by Wiki User

Epidural analgesia, sometimes called an epidural block, causes some loss of feeling in the lower areas of your body, yet you remain awake and alert. An epidural block may be given soon after your contractions start, or later as your labor progresses. An epidural block with more or stronger medications (anesthetics, not analgesics) can be used for a cesarean delivery or if vaginal birth requires the help of forceps or vacuum extraction. Your doctors will work with you to determine the proper time to give the epidural.

An epidural block is given in the lower back into a small area (the epidural space) below the spinal cord. You will be asked to sit or lie on your side with your back curved outward and to stay this way until the procedure is completed. You can move when it's done, but you may not be allowed to walk around.

Source: http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/ArticlePage.aspx?ID=e746e318-69c5-4fef-aa4d-899a827d08c0&LandingID=4f04afc4-4f77-4eff-b20c-01e6e6ede922
Please recheck your spelling to ensure word is spelled correctly. I will add to my watchlist. very respectfully

What are the symptoms of spinal epidural hematoma?

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Asked by GaleEncyofNeuroDis

Head swelling, asperation,as well as sudden urge to quit playing (for children),

How many spinal epidurals can you have in one year?

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Asked by Wiki User

They typically won't do any more than 9 total epidurals (that includes multiple injections for the same problem) per year due to the effects steroids have on the body and bones. Usually if you're that bad, they'll start looking at other alternatives anyway.

Assuming the problem can be handled with them, Facet injections use less amounts of steroids and are more effective since the procedure is targeted using a Fluoroscope (real-time X-ray machine) and catheter needle to target the problem disk. The pain is about the same, but it doesn't last as long as an epidural, since the needles aren't as big as steel shanks. If you've never seen the size of the needle they use in an epidural, don't ever ask to see one.

Where did epidural come from?

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Asked by Wiki User

1930's by Dr. Bonica

How much does it cost to have an epidural?

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depends on the hospital and insurance. Mine cost $1300, but it was worth every penny. I fell asleep after I got mine, woke up 4 hours later and gave birth. The trick is to make sure the epidural goes directly in the middle of your spine- if it's too much to the right or the left, you could still have feeling on the other side, so if you need to, help direct the person putting in the epi so it goes right in the middle

What is a ventral epidural defect?

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Break it down: MC Hammer style

Ventral is for humans front part of the body (ie. the chest, knees, face, etc)

Extra is outside

Dural is having to do with the dura mater, one of the layers of the membranes covering the spinal cord.

So a ventral extradural defect would be some sort of defect (probably a weakness) on the outer boundary between the dura mater and the spinal cord at the belly side of the cord. It could represent anything from changes of aging to a herniated disk to a tumor. The rest of the radiology report, as well as the history and physical, will tell you the medical meaning of this description term.

Can steroidal injections cause hair loss?

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Not usually, steroidal injections do not typically cause hair loss.

Below is a link to a list of medications that are known and have been reported by their manufacturers to cause hair loss.

What is the most dilated you could be to get an epidural?

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Asked by Wiki User

Women do not have to wait until they are dilated to a certain level before they can ask for, or receive, an epidural. According to the ASA's (American Society of Anesthesiologists) current guidelines, "patients in early labor should be offered the option of receiving neuraxial analgesia (spinal or epidural) when the service is available, and it should not be withheld to meet arbitrary standards for cervical dilation." If a woman is in active, established labor, and is uncomfortable, epidural analgesia is the most effective method of pain relief. There is no medical reason to wait for a specific dilation target.

Source: http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/ArticlePage.aspx?ID=302a85f8-7135-4174-bd4c-2bc4ad7e04c2&LandingID=fc6eb1da-98e4-43c7-bb9f-09c17e2a005d

In additioin, some places wont give epidural if you are too advanced in the labour as the baby could theoretically be born before the epidural is administered and kicks in so there is little point.

Do you have to rest after an epidural for back pain?

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Asked by Wiki User

I have had 3 kids & 10 epidural's all together & the back pain is coming from that. The doctor should have told you that getting an epidural could cause back pains in your future. After my 1st child I had back pains up to a year later.

What are 5 children born at the same time called?

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Asked by Wiki User

They are called quintuplets.

Videos of women giving birth?

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Asked by Wiki User

There are several options for places you can find videos on giving birth. In your local area there should a local health unit which offers parenting and pregnancy classes. They will have some videos about childbirth. You could also check YouTube, where some users have shared their personal experiences. Another alternative is to check out the BabyCenter website.

Does an epidural provide a pain free labor?

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Asked by Wiki User

Well not necessarily an epidural. You can get a spinal anesthesia instead. You do need an anesthesia for a C-section, or it will be truly painful. You have choices so if you're against an epidural you can choose another anesthesia.