Table of contents:
- Choice of childbirth methods to reduce pain
- Epidural anesthesia
- Intrathecal anesthesia
- 2.Nitrogen Oxide Gas (N2O)
- 3. Hypnobirthing
Women who soon become mothers are usually worried about pain during childbirth. Unbearable pain usually appears when the contractions occur until the birth process takes place. Therefore, various methods are usually applied beforehand to make childbirth run more smoothly. Starting from gymnastics, walking to the use of anesthetics that relieve pain. However, nowadays there are also options for childbirth techniques that can be done to reduce pain.
Choice of childbirth methods to reduce pain
1. Technique of delivery under anesthesia
Giving anesthesia or anesthesia is the most common method used to reduce pain during childbirth. Especially in mothers whose health conditions are weak so that they do not have a high level of tolerance to pain.
There are several types of anesthetics that are allowed for the birth process. However, local anesthetics that only anesthetize the area around the vagina are less effective in dealing with pain.
Epidural anesthesia
This method of anesthesia is most often used during childbirth. An anesthetic is injected into the body at the spinal cord and causes the hips to feel numb from the effects of the anesthesia. Generally, this medication is given when the 4th or 5th opening occurs.
Epidural anesthesia is also performed when the mother gives birth by caesarean section. Although it relieves pain, usually this method will not be done if the mother is experiencing bleeding or a drop in blood pressure.
Intrathecal anesthesia
There are other types of anesthesia that can be used as an alternative, namely intrathecal anesthesia which has a lower dose, but is no less effective.
This not too large a dose can reduce the side effects of the anesthesia being administered. However, anesthesia can only last about 4 hours so it should not be used in labor which takes a long time.
According to the NCBI review, intrathecal anesthesia consists of:
- Fentanyl as much as 0.025 mg which can speed up the opening process and shorten the first stage of labor
- 2.5 mg of bupivacaine which helps with abdominal pain in the second stage of labor
- 0.25 mg of morphine which serves to prolong the effects of anesthesia
Anesthesia side effects
Although it is rare, the side effects of anesthesia still need to be watched out for from the start. Some of the minor health problems that may be caused by the technique of giving birth using anesthesia are nausea, itching, and headaches.
These side effects can be overcome by giving intravenous drugs (injected through a vein) and the drug naltrexone.
2.Nitrogen Oxide Gas (N2O)
Known as laughing gas, nitrogen oxide is indeed an analgesic gas that effectively relieves pain. The method of giving birth with nitrous oxide gas is also known as entonox anesthesia. In entonox there is also a mixture of oxygen.
Entonox can be inhaled through a mask. Usually the doctor will ask you to take slow, deep breaths so that this gas can fill your lungs.
After that the gas will be passed to the brain to affect the pain nerves so that the pain can immediately subside. Most of the women who undergo this labor technique are very satisfied with the pain-relieving effect that occurs when contractions occur.
3. Hypnobirthing
Childbirth methods that rely on hypnosis and relaxation are now also becoming popular. The reason is, this technique helps women who are about to give birth prepare themselves mentally and physically. Hypnosis is used to reduce one's awareness of fear, anxiety, and anxiety about pain during childbirth.
Labor techniques like this have actually been used for centuries to smooth the process of giving birth. However, it is impossible for the body to relax when contractions or childbirth take place.
Therefore, this method of childbirth requires practice to get your body used to relaxing. The goal is to release oxytosis, prostaglandin hormones and endorphins in the brain so that the muscles relax and the body feels comfortable. That way, you can also better control the pain sensations that arise during childbirth.
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