Part of having true informed choices, is having true informed consent. However, true informed consent is hard to come by. With Epidural anesthesia rates standing at 80% or above in many private hospitals in India, and “painless delivery” becoming somewhat of a fashion statement, we at Healthy Mother ask couples to research and present the pros and cons of this intervention in our Lamaze classes. What follows is a healthy discussion, and our expectant parents are truly informed about the pain relief choices in labor.
I came across this funny video, which explains what a true informed consent about epidural anesthesia should look like … although not every mother and baby will have all of those side-effects, it is an eye-opener as to what you may be subjecting yourself and your baby to. There is one more consequence that is not mentioned in the video .. increased rates of forceps and vacuum deliveries.
So, how about pain relief then? “Epidoula” rather than Epidural – Get a doula, a midwife, or someone who can truly support you in labor – can encourage you, massage your back, and provide you with a host of comfort measures! “Watermerol” rather than Demerol – Hydrotherapy during labor and Water Birth works great! And remember, you are dealing with one contraction at a time – a finite period of a minute or two – after which your body produces its own hormones, Endorphins, to help to get into a trance like state to deal with the intensity of labor. To put it in the words of one of our moms “Bhang piya hai aisa lagta hai” – now, why would you want an epidural?!?