What is Princess Birth (Epidural Normal Birth)?

It is a well-known fact that the birth process can be very painful. For this reason, giving birth with epidural anesthesia has become a widely preferred method today. In epidural anesthesia, the nerve cells in the spinal cord that receive pain signals from the lower part of the body are blocked. An epidural anesthetic is administered through a catheter placed in the space between the dural membrane surrounding the spinal cord, and the catheter remains in place throughout the labor process to continue administering medication. It is important to note that epidural anesthesia is not suitable for every individual, and its applicability may vary depending on the condition of the mother and baby. You can follow the rest of the article for more information on topics related to princess birth.

What is Princess Birth (Painless Birth)?

Princess birth refers to childbirth conducted with regional anesthesia applied epidurally. Anesthetic agents help prevent the person from perceiving pain. With epidural anesthesia applied regionally, the individual loses sensation in the lower part of their body.

Why is it Called Princess Birth?

The pain experienced during childbirth is quite intense. Thanks to the epidural anesthesia used during normal delivery, the pain level is significantly lower compared to traditional childbirth. Over time, this type of less painful delivery has been referred to as "princess birth" in society due to a prevailing perception.

What is Epidural Normal Birth?

Epidural normal birth describes a normal vaginal delivery where the mother-to-be does not feel pain due to epidural anesthesia. The term "epidural" comes from the injection of the anesthetic agent into the epidural space. The epidural space is the gap between the dura mater, which is a thick protective membrane surrounding the spinal cord, and the spinal cord itself. Blocking the nerves in the spinal cord with anesthetic medication prevents the transmission of pain signals from the lower part of the body to the brain.

Who is Not Suitable for Epidural Normal Birth?

Epidural normal birth is preferred by many expectant mothers but can be quite risky for some individuals. Some conditions that may warrant the avoidance of epidural normal birth include:

• Use of anticoagulant medications
• Low platelet counts responsible for clotting
• Low blood pressure
• Cases of excessive bleeding
• Presence of active infections

How is Epidural Normal Birth Administered?

Epidural anesthesia is administered by anesthesiologists to the spinal region in the lower back. In this procedure, a medication containing a local anesthetic agent is injected into the space between the spinal cord and its protective membrane, effectively blocking the signals from the nerve cells in that area, resulting in the patient becoming unable to feel anything below the waist. Proper adjustment of the medication level is crucial. With properly adjusted anesthesia, expectant mothers do not feel pain but can still perceive contractions.

Epidural anesthesia can be administered at any time during normal birth. However, some healthcare institutions and doctors prefer to apply epidural anesthesia only after the labor has progressed to a certain stage. They justify this by referencing various studies indicating that applying epidural anesthesia in the early stages of labor may delay the delivery.

What are the Benefits of Epidural Normal Birth?

Epidural anesthesia, which provides nerve blockage, allows for the control of pain during normal childbirth. It is also a preferred method for managing back pain due to causes like sciatica or arm and leg pain resulting from spinal nerve root damage. The time taken from the application of epidural anesthesia to the loss of sensation between the belly button and upper thigh is approximately 15 minutes.

Epidural anesthesia is the most effective method for controlling pain during childbirth. It is frequently preferred due to its minimal side effect profile for both maternal and fetal health. Individuals receiving epidural anesthesia can complete the childbirth process with very little or no pain.

The absence of pain during labor also allows the individual to gain more time for rest after the process. This is particularly beneficial during prolonged labor. The lack of pain and the ability to rest more comfortably can contribute to a more positive childbirth experience.

With epidural anesthesia, individuals can actively participate in the childbirth process with greater concentration due to the absence of pain.

Various studies indicate that giving birth with epidural anesthesia may reduce the risk of developing mental disorders, such as postpartum depression, following the process. However, it should be noted that research on this topic is still in its early stages, and there are studies in the literature that claim otherwise.

Another advantage of epidural normal birth is that anesthesia can be administered at the desired time. Even if the decision is made to abandon normal birth in favor of a cesarean section when necessary, the medication can continue to be administered, allowing the individual to remain conscious and follow the processes.

What are the Risk Factors of Epidural Normal Birth?

Epidural normal birth can also bring some risk factors. Some of these include:

• Itching
• Shivering
• Difficulty urinating
• Pain in the back and lower back during the first few days postpartum

Rarely, in addition to the aforementioned conditions, more significant side effects can occur. These include:

• Nausea
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Increased heart rate
• Shortness of breath

In some individuals, epidural normal birth may prevent the perception of contractions, inhibiting the act of pushing. In such cases, the use of forceps or cesarean delivery may be necessary. Additionally, epidural anesthesia can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. It is crucial for blood pressure to remain normal during labor to prevent the baby from being deprived of oxygen until birth. If such a change is detected during regular blood pressure monitoring, oxygen, fluid, and medication support may be required.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above during labor, it is very important to inform your doctor about your condition.

Epidural anesthesia applications may also have some long-term complications, though these are very rare. Some potential complications include:

• Permanent damage to the spinal cord and nerves
• Breathing difficulties
• Persistent numbness and tingling sensations

Although the placement of the catheter and the childbirth process can cause developing back pain, some individuals may still experience complaints of long-term back pain after the application of epidural anesthesia. Cases of permanent nerve damage occur in approximately 1 in 240,000 epidural anesthesia applications.

Epidural applications are the most frequently preferred type of anesthesia during childbirth for controlling pain sensation. It is administered by anesthesiologists through small catheters placed in the lower back or lumbar region, delivering anesthetic medications. Epidural normal birth is generally considered low risk and allows most individuals to remain pain-free during labor. Despite these benefits, epidural normal birth does carry some risks.

For questions regarding other aspects of epidural normal birth, such as what precautions can be taken against problems like headaches, low blood pressure, urination issues, and back pain, it is recommended to consult healthcare institutions and specialists. Wishing you healthy days ahead.