Here are some useful sources for the risks of epidurals. Funny how women are told to avoid alcohol and soft cheeses in pregnancy but encouraged to imbibe powerful and dangerous drugs in labour.
Drugs in labour twenty years hence. http://www.midwiferytoday.com/artic...ugsinlabour.asp epidural information http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/epirisks.html A little excerpt Quote: Generally, it is true to say the epidurals are a safe and effective method of relieving pain in labour - but safe does not mean risk free - the risks are there - it is wrong to say there are "none" (re the hospital employed childbirth educator) See Thorp, J.A. & Breedlove, G (1996) Epidural Analgesia in Labour: An evaluation of Risks and Benefits 23(2) 63-83. for a good review of the literature. . hypotension 12 - 23% . maternal fever - (then unnecessary antibiotic therapy - then the yeast infection - then.....) one study cited an increase of 0.07 Celsius rise per hour exposure to epidural anesthesia. another reported 5% of fetuses reached cores temp in excess of 4Celsius, another found a statistically significant increase in maternal temps > 38C associated with EA. . inadvertent spinal ( and headache to follow - which a blood patch does not always cure - the incidence depends on skill of operator.... July - new residents - expect a huge increase in spinals in the teaching hospitals..... ) . pruritus, nausea and vomiting. (no numbers here - but more likely with spinals) . backache - significant more women c/o backache following EA (RR 1. . fluid overload- ?pulmonary edema??? . infection from epidural site . resp arrest . anaphylaxis . nerve damage Henci Goer on epidurals http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregn...a=adid=16053332 Epidurals: can they impact breastfeeding? http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregn...0,,h1nz,00.html Epidurals: real risk for mother and baby - Sarah Buckley http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/sarah02.html The Epidural Express: Real Reasons Not to Jump On Board by Nancy Griffin, M.A., AAHCC http://birthrites.edsite.com.au/Epidural.html Medical Risks of Epidural Anesthesia During Childbirth http://www.healing-arts.org/mehl-madrona/mmepidural.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly Zantey To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 4:42 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Epidurals - entering the bloodstream Hello, Can anyone point me to a medical source or evidence which proves that epidural anaesthesia enters the bloodstream? Someone in my forums has said she has tried to find medical sources but can't find them anywhere. Best Regards, Kelly Zantey
