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Labor Analgesia: A Comfortable Choice for Expectant Mothers, or a Potential Risk?

  • News
  • 2024-07-24

In the recently popular TV series "The Story of Rose," a scene of childbirth touched the hearts of many netizens. Huang Yimei struggled in pain in the delivery room, while Fang Xiewen's mother insisted that the pain of childbirth is a necessary trial for women, that labor analgesia should not be used, and worried that anesthesia might adversely affect the baby. This scene made countless viewers feel distressed for Huang Yimei's plight, while also sparking a public in-depth discussion on the medical choice of “Labor Analgesia”.



(Still from "The Story of Rose")


Although labor analgesia technology is now mature, there are still misunderstandings and biases in society. These biases are often based on unsubstantiated rumors, and under the guise of "the greatness of maternal love," many women are forced to silently endure pain during childbirth.


However, we must ponder: Does the greatness of maternal love truly need to be demonstrated through pain? To address the various doubts and misunderstandings about "labor analgesia" in society, today we invite HeYou Hospital's Chief of Obstetrics, He Zhihui, to explain and clarify them one by one.



What is Labor Analgesia?

Labor analgesia refers to the use of various methods to reduce or eliminate the pain experienced by pregnant women during childbirth. It is divided into non-pharmacological analgesia (prenatal training, breathing exercises, music-assisted childbirth, acupuncture, etc.) and pharmacological analgesia (using anesthetic drugs to achieve pain relief).


Currently, the most widely used method in clinical practice is epidural labor analgesia, a type of pharmacological analgesia, which is currently recognized as the most effective and safest method of labor pain relief.

What are the Benefits of Labor Analgesia?

1. Reduces maternal stress response.


2. Allows expectant mothers to avoid the torment of pain, reducing fear during childbirth and postpartum fatigue.


3. Provides rest during the longest first stage of labor, allowing the mother to conserve energy for effective pushing when the cervix is fully dilated.


4. Reduces unnecessary oxygen consumption, preventing maternal-fetal metabolic acidosis.


5. Avoids reduction in uteroplacental blood flow, improving fetal oxygenation.


6. In the event of an emergency involving the mother or fetus, epidural anesthesia creates conditions for emergency surgery.


Is Labor Analgesia Suitable for All Pregnant Women?

Expectant mothers who voluntarily choose and are assessed by an obstetrician as suitable for vaginal delivery can undergo labor analgesia. However, conditions such as coagulation disorders, spinal anatomical abnormalities, and infections must be ruled out.


When regular uterine contractions confirm the onset of labor and the mother finds the pain intolerable, she can request labor analgesia from her doctor or midwife, and the procedure can begin. This abandons the outdated notion that labor analgesia can only be administered when the cervix is dilated to three centimeters.

 

It is important to note that choosing labor analgesia does not preclude a subsequent switch to cesarean section; however, labor analgesia does not increase the likelihood of a cesarean section. For most women transitioning from labor analgesia to cesarean section, a new neuraxial anesthetic is not required; medication can be added directly through the existing epidural catheter, saving time and reducing risk.


Can Labor Analgesia Achieve Complete Pain Relief?