Epidurals May Protect Mamas During Labor
There may be important health benefits to epidurals during labor, beyond the immediate benefit of pain relief.
New data show that epidurals may protect women’s muscles during labor. A British study of about 400 women showed that women how had an epidural during labor were less likely to experience organ prolapse after giving birth.
Muscle damage to the abdomen and pelvic floor affects a surprisingly large number of women; about 13% of those who’ve had a vaginal birth. Two thirds of the women who suffer this long-term muscle damage had no epidural, the British research team found.
All these medical terms are a little vague. Let’s be clear: an epidural might save you from a lifetime of peeing your pants a little when you laugh too hard.
Other side effects from damage to your pelvic muscles during labor can include sexual issues, constipation and pain. No fun.
I never thought I’d be writing a pro-epidural post. I’ve been a natural childbirth advocate for many years. I delivered a ten and a half pound baby without the benefit of so much as an aspirin.
I did have an epidural with my first child, though. Given the choice between an emergency C-section and a mega-dose of muscle relaxants to prevent tearing my swollen cervix, it was easy to say yes to the drugs.
Having done it both ways, I can say with surety that I preferred drug-free labor. It was great to know what was happening to my body, and to be alert and awake with my baby right after her birth. If I have another child, I think I’d risk the potential muscle damage this study investigated, and trust in my midwives’ skill to get me through it safely.
Epidurals get a bad rap, though. I’ve often had well-meaning crunchy mamas guilt-trip me for having one with my first baby, as if I was somehow a failure for needing medical care. They’re a tool like anything else, and no one should feel guilty for needing – or even just wanting – one.
Two-thirds of American women already choose epidurals. Does knowing about possible long-term health benefits sway you towards wanting one?
Photo: Jessica Pearson
Depends…
Nope, the pain does that for me every time
I’m wondering why this though….physiologically….could someone shed light on it?
just read the bbc article at the link and i have a better understanding. i didn’t have an epidural for my vag. delivery, but was still told when exactly to push by my midwife, because even though I felt the urge (very strongly) to push, she knew when it was best to, in order to conserve my energy, and allow everything to happen the best that it could – and it did. I only pushed for an hour and only needed one stitch.
bob, you are too funny!
So, I haven’t actually read the study, so I’m not totally sure of its’ validity. I am definitely not anti-epidural though (if anything, I am just anti-dogma when it comes to childbirth!), but I would point out that epidurals, like any other medical procedure involve risks and benefits, some of which are less definite than others (i.e. if you get an epidural, you will definitely require more monitoring, you will not definitely get a c-section – although your risk does increase). It’s a lot to think about – especially when you are in the middle of labor.
I’m not sure what the physiological process behind epidurals saving pelvic floor muscles might be, although my one guess could be that, in some instances (with good management by your practitioner), epidurals may allow a woman to labor down a lot more than a natural birth would, thus actually shortening the time that she has to push (labor down as in getting the baby’s head further down the birth canal, post 10cm and before pushing is initiated). This is just a guess though, and not always the case…..
Oh – and one more thing (just gotta put it in there) Ms. Black – second babies are almost universally easier deliveries than first. Your body has been through the process before and, well, sometimes those suckers just come shooting out (that’s why you see us all scrambling around the floor when we see a second time mom in active labor!) I’m glad you felt empowered by your drug-free birth, but just know that it might not be solely b.c. you didn’t have the epidural that it was so easy..You should feel proud of your births and the decisions you made for both..just a thought.
What dpagea and Elendy said. But I’d like to add: people, please, strengthen your pelvic floor before and after pregnancy! If you’re already strong, this won’t be that much of a problem, right? I had a 9.5 lb baby with no drugs or surgery, and experienced no problems, partially because I had a midwife who told me not to push until it was really time (she said if I pushed at 8 cm, I’d hurt my cervix), but also because I worked on my pelvic floor and core strength. Even if you never have kids, this is important and give you an advantage in so many physical activities – balance, running, dancing, strength training, and on and on.
what esthermaker said
The only thing I have to add is I noticed the author said she wouldn’t want one because she wanted to be awake after to spend time with baby. I have to ask if that’s an individual side effect, because I had one after both of my children and I could not sleep! I was totally geared up, maybe because I had endured labor for awhile also, I was at a seven when they FINALLY got me my epidural. I honestly wanted to scream and curse everyone out!
this all sounds wonderful but from a mother who has had two epidurals (one vaginal and one ending in emergency c section) i can tell you that you still have trouble with constipation. as a matter of fact many pain medicines cause constipation. also i pulled a muscle pushing my first son. and have had a weak bladder ever since my second one. so i wouldnt count on this new age medicine saving you.