Obstetrical anesthesia is different from any other type of anesthesia in that there are two patients involved—you and your baby. It is important that you take both individuals into account when considering your anesthesia choices. Another factor to be considered is that labor is unpredictable. It can range anywhere from relatively quick and easy to painful and exhausting. An important point to remember is that everyone experiences pain differently. Only you will know the level of pain you’re experiencing, so you should never feel guilty about asking for pain relief.

Types of Anesthesia

  • General Anesthesia: General anesthesia is administered by giving anesthetic drugs intravenously and having the patient breathe anesthetic gases.  A general anesthetic may be necessary if complications arise during delivery. General anesthetics can be administered quickly, so they’re considered the best choice when time is of the essence.
  • Regional Anesthesia: Epidural—An epidural is a method for delivering pain relief drugs or local anesthetics through a tiny tube called a catheter placed in the small of the back, just outside the spinal canal. An advantage of the epidural is that it allows most women to fully participate in the birth experience (continue to feel touch and pressure) while relieving most, if not all, of the pains of labor.Spinal (intrathecal)—This method is similar to an epidural, but because the drugs are administered with a needle into the spinal canal, the effects are felt much faster. You may feel numb and need assistance in moving during the delivery. Spinal anesthetics are sometimes used for delivery by Cesarean section or when the use of forceps is indicated. Epidurals or spinals cannot be used if time is of the essence or the patient:
    • Uses blood thinners or has a bleeding tendency.
    • Is hemorrhaging or in shock.
    • Has an infection in the back or the blood.
    • Has an unusual anatomic condition or spinal abnormality.
  • Local Anesthesia: This series of local injections can make you more comfortable for delivery and for the placement of sutures if you need them.
  • Sedation: Administered as an injection or intravenously, narcotics or tranquilizers can help reduce the pain of labor, but will not eliminate the pain entirely. They are also used to ease the anxiety that sometimes accompanies the delivery process.Narcotics or tranquilizers—Administered as an injection or intravenously, narcotics or tranquilizers can help reduce the pain of labor, but will not eliminate the pain entirely. They are also used to ease the anxiety that sometimes accompanies the delivery process.

Do you ship oversees and to P.O. boxes?

Yes, we’ll ship your package anywhere that can accept deliveries.

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