Is an epidural safe for a baby?

Dr.Taruna Dua, 2 mins read

First of all, many many congratulations to you on your positive pregnancy report. You have already started receiving a bundle of wishes with a lot of information from your friends and family members. 

Sometimes, it may feel overwhelming to have such information and to separate what’s right and what’s wrong. One such information where most expecting mothers face problems is whether they should go with epidural anaesthesia for painless vaginal delivery.

This blog will discuss the safety of epidural anaesthesia for babies, dispelling common myths and providing the right information.

What is epidural anaesthesia?

An epidural is a type of regional anaesthesia. It got its name from the region it is injected, i.e., the epidural space. This is a space between the lower part of the spine, helping to numb the lower part of the body. Because of this, women can relax and focus on the birthing process. 

Safety concerns for babies 

Research suggests that epidurals are generally safe for babies when administered correctly and have been in use for years with a high success rate. Complications are very rare. Here are some of the things you should know. 

• Fetal distress: Epidurals may cause a slight decrease in fetal heart rate or variability, but this is usually temporary. And nothing to be worried about. Doctors around you can easily manage this. 

• Transfer of medications: Sometimes, a small amount of anaesthetic medication can cross the placenta. However, most studies show no significant adverse effects on the baby.

• Potential impact on breastfeeding: Some research suggests that higher doses of epidurals might cause delayed lactation or reduce breastfeeding rate, but more studies are needed to confirm this.

Benefits for babies 

Epidurals can also have benefits for babies, such as:

• Reduced stress: Epidural anaesthesia helps manage maternal stress and anxiety, which ultimately creates a more favourable environment for the baby.

• Fewer interventions: With the effective pain management of epidural anaesthesia, the need for other interventions, like forceps or vacuum extraction, has reduced. These interventions usually pose some risks to the baby.

Takeaway!

Though no medicine or procedure is completely risk-free, the consensus among doctors is that epidurals are a safe and effective option for pain management during labour. Understanding the potential benefits and risks can help expectant mothers make informed decisions. Discuss with your doctor whether you should go with epidural anaesthesia.