epi - what are the side effects?

for the baby and the mother? sorry to sound ignorant. i guess i shoud sign for a prenatal class

Re: epi - what are the side effects?

I was told the epi would have no side effects on my child - i also haven't had any side effects either.

Re: epi - what are the side effects?

READ ME

READ ME

READ ME

Re: epi - what are the side effects?

From my lamaze video and doing some research these are some of the pros and cons to having an epi. Before you get one your anesthesiologist should be telling you all the risks and benefits of having one but by that time you are usually in pain and just want it and won't be in the mood to hear what they have to say.

Pros -
No pain

does not pass the placenta

It can be used for c-section

Cons -
No feeling so you have trouble pushing, can't pee and you can't walk

Can stop or slow labor - so you might need pitocin or end up with a c-section

Blood pressure drop and the baby's heartrate can go down - which can lead to a c-section. Which is why you need an IV to try to keep your BP from dropping.

You can end up with places where the epi didn't take so you might have part of your stomach that isn't numb and you can still feel it. They can usually adjust the dose to fix that.

Can give you the shakes

It can cause fever in the mother which can cause complications in the baby.

It also might not work at all - this is very rare.

you could end up with backpain or headaches

Message edited 5/25/2007 1:55:55 PM.