Patient's question:
Hello, my due date is the 27th. On the 24th evening, I had contractions, one every 10 minutes, each lasting about 5-6 seconds. By the morning of the 25th, the pain stopped. Then on the evening of the 25th, I had some minor spotting and increased discharge, with occasional abdominal pain at irregular intervals. Is this a sign of labor? Why haven't I had the regular contractions everyone mentions yet? Also, are there any risks associated with having an epidural for pain relief?Doctor's answer:
Pain relief during childbirth simply uses medication to alleviate the pain of contractions. The dosage is kept at the minimum level, so it will not have any impact on the mother or the fetus. The amount of anesthesia required for pain relief during childbirth is much lower than that for a cesarean section, and it will not have any side effects on the mother or the baby. However, the anesthesiologist must have extensive experience and a strong sense of professional ethics. Improper operation may lead to uterine inertia, prolonging the labor process. But theoretically, more severe complications are possible, such as hypotension, but the occurrence rate is very low. Moreover, the doctor will take effective measures to prevent them from the moment you choose pain relief during childbirth.