What are the methods of spinal anesthesia during childbirth?

Nowadays, many women choose to have a cesarean section when giving birth for various reasons. During the cesarean section, they will be given anesthesia to the spine. Although this is a necessary step for cesarean section, it will have a certain impact on the physical health of the mother. Therefore, many people will choose different degrees of anesthesia according to their physical condition when choosing anesthesia.

There are generally several types of anesthesia: local anesthesia, semi-anesthesia, and general anesthesia. Semi-anesthesia and general anesthesia are commonly used during childbirth.

General anesthesia:

This is the type of anesthesia we often call "falling asleep". Consciousness disappears temporarily and the body does not feel pain. Generally, general anesthesia will only be performed when the pregnant mother is at risk during childbirth, such as heavy bleeding, coagulation dysfunction, etc.

Half hemp:

There are two types of partial anesthesia. One is subarachnoid block, which is a common method of anesthesia when delivering a baby by caesarean section. The anesthesiologist will take a very long needle, let the mother curl up like a shrimp, open the entire posterior spine, and insert the long needle into the space between the spine to push the anesthetic in. Anesthetics can temporarily block the conduction function of some spinal nerves, so that the brain cannot receive "pain" information. So during a caesarean section, mothers can feel the doctor cutting open their belly with a knife, but they don’t feel any pain.

Another type of epidural block is

The principle is similar to the above and is mainly used for painless childbirth. The needle does not need to be inserted so deep, but in the epidural space. Then, during each strong contraction, the pregnant mother will only feel her stomach tightening, and there will not be severe pain. She can take a short rest to conserve her energy for the subsequent delivery.

Nowadays, when performing a caesarean section, some doctors will combine the two semi-anesthesia methods based on the mother's suggestion. After the anesthesia is injected, a tube connected to the syringe is placed in the epidural space. For example, if you feel pain after giving birth, you can push local anesthetics. This is a pain pump.

What should you pay attention to during anesthesia?

1. Just follow the doctor's instructions. The doctor will ask you to lie on your side and curl up, hug your knees with your hands, keep your thighs as close to your belly as possible, and your chin as close to your chest as possible, so that you are in the shape of a shrimp. This is the only way to expose the entire spine and open up the interspinal space.

2. Then don’t be nervous, don’t hide, don’t move! Although it is scary to see such a long needle being inserted into your body, you must not move during the insertion. If you move, the anesthesiologist's needle may hit your spine and you will really be paralyzed. Moreover, if you move and the anesthetic needle is not inserted into the right place and the anesthetic is not fully effective, you will be torn apart alive during the caesarean section.