Choosing a birthing method is a choice only a mother can make and it can often be almost as difficult as choosing a baby name. Some mothers have already decided on their options long before the delivery process, while others wait until the last minute. Lamaze, water delivery, epidurals, cesarean section and completely natural births are just some of the common choices for deliveries. All of these are, in one way or another, “natural” except cesareans and epidurals.

Like all medications and anesthesia, epidurals have risks. As is natural during pregnancy, everything the mom does the baby benefits from. The rule holds true when using medications. For mom, there is a long list of side effects ranging from prolonged labor to more serious problems such as seizures or spinal blockages. Any one of these side effects can be dangerous and require immediate medical attention to both baby and mom. One of the more common side effects is loss of feeling, sure this might sound good, but when mom can’t feel contractions, the baby needs to be extracted using forceps. The most common side effects are mild, such as headaches, numbness and bruising at the catheter site. One side effect epidural users don’t want to hear however is this, 10% report inadequate pain relief according to Childbirthsolutions.com.

Not only is mom exposed to side effects, so is the unborn fetus. In many cases the mother’s blood pressure will drop, as is normal for any anesthesia or medication. However this causes the fetus to react by dropping its heart rate to compensate for the lack of blood pressure. Most physicians will insist on an immediate cesarean when the fetal heart rate drops. When performing a cesarean however, more medication and anesthesia is used, this can only complicate the situation. Any amount of stress that is put upon the mother and fetus can result in problems when the fetus is born.

Newborns are just as fragile as the fetus, if not more because now they are exposed and out of their protected shell. Epidurals can cause newborns to have what some refer to as “epidural fever” which requires antibiotics for both mother and baby. Sometime the baby is taken to isolation to make sure everything is in fact ok. Some newborns whose mothers used epidurals tend to have problems with irritability, however these effects are typically short term, but there is always the potential to have the effects be more lasting.

Epidurals are not all bad, there are positives to medication use during labor. An epidural will generally relieve any anxiety and stress a mother might be feeling. Anxiety and stress can cause equal amounts of damage to a fetus. By keeping the mothers mental state intact, the doctors can do their jobs and monitor the baby’s progress. An epidural will also not all muscles which can allow the mother to walk around and be comfortable during the long hours of labor which is also important. Let’s not forget the biggest reason women choose an epidural, minimal pain.

Talking to doctors, other mothers and doing research is the best thing for new moms to do before making a final decision on child birth. Often the thought of risking health problems for the baby is a price too high for some mothers, others are willing to take the chance and go for the epidural. There is no right or wrong option however new mothers should be conscious of the effects of medications on newborns. Making an education decision is crucial for both child and mother, the birthing choice is the first big one to make as a mom.