This will be my last pregnancy and as you all know I will undergo ligation after giving birth to my Sati. Last weekend, me and my OB Gynecologist discussed the Ligation process. I was a bit concerned on how long I had to be on the operating table before I can cuddle my baby. My OB Gynecologist says that it won’t take long. The Ligation per se would only take thirty minutes but the process of the anesthesia taking effect is longer. My OB Gynecologist mentioned that if I would have an epidural, there is no need for anesthesia for Ligation. EPIDURAL? Am I hearing it right? She is actually speaking about epidural? From what I heard, epidural is not advisable, or maybe it’s a myth. Oh well, whatever, since my OB says OK with it I am OK with it.

So what is exactly an EPIDURAL?

The term epidural is short for epidural anesthesia. This is the most common or most popular pain relief during labor. I know labor and the promise of relief from it is very enticing. I can’t wait for it!

Epidural anesthesia is regional anesthesia that blocks pain in a particular region of the body. The goal of an epidural is to provide analgesia, or pain relief, rather than complete anesthesia, which is total lack of feeling. Epidurals block the nerve impulses from the lower spinal segments resulting in decreased sensation in the lower half of the body

How it is administered to the patient?

As it is with the usual, IV fluid is first introduced on the body, all in all during labor, a patient will receive 1 to 2 liters of IV fluid. The patient will be asked to be in an arching position (see below photos) so that Epidural Anesthesia will be more effective and less complicated.

An antiseptic solution will be sued to wipe the back of the patient to prevent infection. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the area where the catheter will be inserted. Epidural Anesthesia will take effect 10 to 20 minutes after insertion.

I asked my OB Gynecologist how will it affect my labor. Since I will not feel anything, how can I know if I am having contractions or if I need to push the baby down. She says that she will assist me through it. Hearing that it will be well, I think I might have this option. From what I have read, Epidural Anesthesia will be given when the patient is already on active labor. Honestly, that is the part that I hate most. As I have said to my OB Gynecologist, the last two hours of labor is the hardest if them all. It is during this time when you want to scream, kick, curse. It feels like your body is being torn into pieces. So if I can give birth without those hours, it would be a bliss!

This led me to think, how about recovery or minutes after giving birth? Based again from my readings, some women feel a burning feeling on their birth canal. I hope I won’t, it would be harder for me if my recovery would involve burning sensations, not to mention that I will undergo Ligation.. waah! Good thing, according to my OB Gynecologist, it will have no adverse effect on my baby. Now, I wanna give birth as soon as I can!

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