How Do Epidurals Affect Infant Health?
Epidurals are common during birth to relieve pain, but they can have negative health effects on both mothers and infants.
Epidurals are commonly given to women who want to relieve some of the pain of labor and childbirth. Many women have a good experience with epidurals, as it allows them to relax throughout the birthing process and can make them much more comfortable. Unfortunately, many women are not told of the possible side effects and health consequences an epidural can have on their bodies, as well as the effects on the child that is about to be born. Below are the most common ways epidurals affect the health of the mother and the infant.
Drop in Maternal Blood Pressure
Approximately one of every eight women who get an epidural will experience a drop in blood pressure when the epidural is administered. When the maternal blood pressure drops, a significant loss of oxygen to the baby can result, which may cause serious birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, attention deficit disorder, impaired vision, and permanent injury to the heart, lungs, and brain. This doesn’t mean one in eight epidurals results in significant injury to the baby. One in eight epidurals results in a maternal blood pressure drop. Of those cases where there is such a drop in maternal BP, a very small – but non-zero — number will cause harm to the baby.
Slowed Labor
Women who receive an epidural may not be able to push as effectively during childbirth as women who do not use an epidural, resulting in slowed labor and potentially less effective pushing. This can lead to the use of forceps, which is three times more likely when an epidural is administered. It is rare that an infant is negatively impacted by forceps, but minor facial injuries, temporary weakness in the facial muscles, and minor external eye trauma can occur.
Increased Temperature and Heart Rate
Epidurals that are in place for five hours or longer can cause the mother’s body temperature to rise, which can lead to an increased heart rate in the infant.
Problems in the Hours Following Birth
Depending on the drugs that are used in an epidural, some studies have shown that an infant may experience problems in the hours following birth. These issues include rapid breathing and possible low blood sugar.
Problems with Breastfeeding
Although the data are inconclusive, some studies have suggested that babies delivered by a mother with an epidural have increased problems breastfeeding. Epidurals may reduce the “let-down” effect, which allows breast milk to flow so it is available for the baby. When this effect is diminished, it may reduce or eliminate the mother’s ability to breastfeed, which in turn may affect the mother’s ability to pass on various immunities to the child and to bond with the child.
Behavioral Problems
Many people do not associate behavioral problems with newborns, but many mothers who have received an epidural state that their child is more difficult to care for several weeks after birth. Babies may cry more often, refuse to feed, or experience issues with their sleep for at least six weeks after being born when an epidural is used. For now, this is mostly anecdotal evidence, but studies may well verify this finding.
Although it is true that epidurals can relieve some of the pain associated with childbirth, the drugs used can produce some side effects. It is critical that doctors explain these potential negative impacts to expectant mothers, so that they can make an informed decision. When doctors fail to provide this information and the mother or infant is injured as a result, mothers should speak to an Ohio birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.