Cesarean section is an operation to remove the baby by surgically opening the uterus. Although it is an intervention that has been frequently applied for many years and can be completed in 45-50 minutes, it is ultimately a major abdominal surgery and has various risks.
For this reason, experts in the field recommend that it is not preferred unless it is necessary. But when needed, it is an important operation that saves the life of mother and baby.
Cesarean section with Regional Analgesia
In regional anesthesia, the expectant mother is awake, herself, but her lower body is numb. There is no pain or ache from the procedures performed here.
This method is safer for mother and baby. And the labor of the mother-to-be and her husband; It allows them to live that moment together.
There are three types of regional analgesia methods:
1-Spinal Analgesia: Spinal analgesia is the gold standard in cesarean section anesthesia. It can be used in both planned and emergency cesarean sections. The cord formed by the nerves that carry the sensations from the lower part of our body to the upper parts and the movement orders from the upper to the lower regions, is surrounded by a fluid sheath in the middle of our spine. In spinal anesthesia, a very small amount of local anesthetic drug is injected into the fluid in this sheath with a thin needle. So the effect starts immediately and is very clear. Pain, pain sensations, as well as the senses of touch and temperature may be temporarily lost. You may not even be able to move for a while.
It has been the most preferred method because it can be applied quickly, there is almost no post-procedure headache with newly introduced very fine needles, and post-operative comfort can be provided with long-acting drugs.
2-Epidural Analgesia:
Medication is given to the epidural area on the outer part of the dura mater membrane. Usually, a catheter is inserted and used for pain control after the operation.
It is mostly used in expectant mothers who have an epidural catheter for normal painless delivery when a cesarean section is required later. Adequate analgesia is provided for the operation by giving the mother a little more medication than the epidural catheter without any additional injection or narcosis. More amount of drug is given than spinal. The effect starts a little later but lasts even longer.
3-Combined Epidural-Spinal: It is used for pain relief during operation with spinal and post-operative pain relief with epidural catheter. The application time is longer. It should be applied in expert hands. It is more costly. It has not become very widespread yet.
Advantages of regional analgesia in cesarean section
* Well-applied regional analgesia is always safer for you and your baby.
* It allows you to experience your birth, the beautiful moment when your baby was born, together with your spouse.
* You can hold your baby in your arms as soon as possible and start feeding in a short time.
* You will not have drowsiness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and aches and pains after the operation.
