When you are giving birth, it’s common to want or need some form of anesthesia. It’s helpful to know your options for anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist is an expert at obstetric anesthesia and can tell you more. The anesthesiologist, certified nurse anesthetists (CRNA), or Anesthesia Assistants (AA) at Associated Anesthesiologists in Tulsa, OK, offer comprehensive anesthesia options for childbirth, including epidurals.
What You Need To Know About Obstetric Anesthesia Options
Let’s look at your anesthesia options for giving birth:
An epidural, which is a very common choice for labor and delivery. An epidural may be initiated when the cervix is dilated to 4 to 5 centimeters. An epidural will relieve labor pain but still allow you to feel touch and pressure.
A combined spinal-epidural, also known as a CSE, provides rapid pain relief and the effects of an epidural
Spinal anesthesia, which provides pain relief without the risks of general anesthesia
General anesthesia, which may be used for surgery on the fetus, or for surgical birth, including a C-section.
Depending on the type of obstetric anesthesia, you may experience side effects, including:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
Your anesthesiologist is an important resource for information and can help you decide on anesthesia for giving birth. You might want to ask your anesthesiologist these questions:
- What are the risks of each type of sedation?
- What is recovery like for each type of sedation?
- How will each type of sedation affect my baby?
Your anesthesiologist needs to know about your current health status and any concerns you have about sedation. You need to tell your anesthesiologist if you have:
- Asthma
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
You should also inform your anesthesiologist of any medications you are currently taking and their dosages. Certain medical conditions and medications can affect how your body responds to obstetric anesthesia.
Want To Know More About Obstetric Anesthesia Options?
Call the anesthesiologists at Associated Anesthesiologists in Tulsa, OK, to learn more about obstetric anesthesia options, including epidurals. You can reach them in the office by calling (918) 494-0612, so call today.