pregnancy and labor
We look forward to taking care of you during this special time in your life. It is common for your anesthesia care team to become involved around the time of delivery. This begins with us asking questions about your health and performing a focused physical exam including a painless, visual inspection of your mouth and throat.
Pregnancy results in major changes to the structure and function of the body’s organ systems. Most women in labor will request assistance with help in alleviating their pain. Epidural anesthesia is considered one of the most effective methods of managing pain during labor.
labor epidural
Monitors will be placed to measure your vital signs during the procedure. You will be positioned (usually sitting up) and the middle part of your lower back will be examined. Patient positioning is an essential component of increasing the ease and success of epidural placement. Your back will be cleaned and prepared for the procedure.
anesthesia for cesarean delivery
- Location of the procedure – the spinal anesthetic will be placed in the operating room rather than the Labor and Delivery suite.
- Numbing effects – the numbness accompanied with spinal anesthesia is more profound and its onset is much faster than that of an epidural anesthetic. You will not be able to feel sharp or cutting sensations, but non-painful, dull touching is normal and well-tolerated.
- Post-procedure positioning – usually, after injection of the spinal anesthetic, you will need to lie down quite quickly for adequate spread of the numbing medication.