epidurals, catecholamines

March 28, 2006

I can't believe this conversation. Obviously no hospital is going to use this

form. Obviously no anesthesiologist would use it. There would be no

anesthesiologists working there, as they would not be making much money.

Obviously this is to be used as a teaching tool pre-natally. That would be fine

if the info in it were accurate. I'd like to see the documentation on the info.

I don't think you can find anything to document some of it.

Personnally, I don't believe that catecholamines do what many people seem to

think they do. My first labor I spent 12 hours unmedicated, then 4 more hours

of bone-crushing transition at 8 cm, also unmedicated. If catecholamines do

what they say, then I should have been high as a kite. I wasn't. I was just

miserable, in agony. If anyone can explain this I'd be interested to hear.

Terri

p.s. can anyone document that mom's catecholamines pass through to the baby?

> Hey all!

> I am perfecting my release form to hand out to

> expectant moms. (This

> is to answer some past posts when people say " What

> can we do when

> all moms want epidurals? " )

>

> I think women need the truth. If a women HAD the

> information that

> most of you had about birth, they may not choose an

> epidural as

> their FIRST choice.

>

> I would really like to " perfect it "

> Let me know what you think- Gloria - especially!

> Barbara

>

> Epidural Release Form

>

> I choose that my own pain be removed with the

> epidural, and that my

> baby feels the pain of labor more intensely.

>

> I understand that the pain from labor causes my

> brain to release

> beta- endorphins. These are natural pain killers

> which can be

> likened to natural morphine or heroin. These

> opioids are so

> powerful that they can cause women to have an " out

> of this world " ,

> or " high " feelings in between contractions, and they

> also have been

> known to cause euphoria after the birth.

>

> When I receive an epidural, I understand that my

> baby will feel the

> pain of labor more intensely because my body will

> stop producing and

> circulating these pain killing hormones mentioned

> above.

>

> I choose to use the epidural medications even though

> I am aware that

> use of these drugs will depress my baby's breathing

> and they will

> most likely lead to the need for resuscitation and

> breathing

> assistance for my baby at birth.

>

> I understand that having an epidural can lead to

> maternal fever in

> 90% of the cases. A fever in the mother can cause

> the baby to have a

> fever, which leads to a " work up " in the neonatal

> unit. A neonatal

> work up includes a spinal tap, which is a very

> painful procedure.

>

> I understand that once I have an epidural, I must

> have a fetal

> monitor screwed into my baby's head without pain

> relief for my baby.

> I am aware that this screw in my baby's head will be

> pulled with

> every contraction, and tugged at when I move around.

>

> I understand that all epidural drugs currently used

> during birth

> where never studied for their long term effects on

> the development

> of the fetus, and I choose to use them anyway.

>

> I understand that having an epidural increases my

> risks of needing

> Pitocin. Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin,

> which is a hormone

> that causes uterine contractions (among other

> things). The side

> effects from this drug can be increased uterine

> contractions,

> multiple unrelenting contractions, and contractions

> powerful enough

> to tear my uterus.

>

> I understand that Pitocin use during birth has been

> associated with

> autistic disorders. Autism is developmental / brain

> disorder which

> is characterized many times by a lack of attachment.

>

> I understand that the use of epidural and especially

> pitocin has

> been related with decreased maternal-infant bonding.

> Pitocin use

> causes the brain to stop producing its own Oxytocin

> (in the Mother

> and baby). Oxytocin is the hormone of love and

> attachment.

>

> I understand that after receiving the epidural, my

> baby may

> experience, " an increased heart rate " and " fetal

> distress " which may

> mean that my unseen baby is panicking, crying in my

> womb and

> suffering from the increased pain.

>

> I understand that my baby's liver, which is the

> organ that will have

> to clean the drugs from my baby's system and that

> because the liver

> is immature, the use of epidural drugs will most

> likely will cause

> effects such as: increased incidence of jaundice,

> behavioral

> problems, drowsiness at birth, poor sucking reflex

> and poor muscle

> strength and tone in the first hours of my baby's

> life.

>

> I understand that the use of epidural anesthesia

> leads to more

> cesarean sections.

>

> Most likely, I will have a headache after the birth

> of my baby

> because of leaking spinal fluid. This will

> necessitate that I lay

> flat on my back so the spinal casing can heal. I

> understand that

> this could affect my ability to breastfeed, hold and

> care for my

> baby. Decreased touching, holding and not

> breastfeeding, may

> decrease the body's natural bonding hormones which

> may cause " post-

> partum depression " and failure to attach to my baby.

>

> By signing this release, I have been told of the

> risks and the

> possible affects of this drug on my baby and I agree

> to hold

> harmless this hospital and my society for any

> problems related to

> using the epidural now or in the future.

>

> Mommas To Be- please sign here

> X_________________________________________

>

Robbie

__________________________________________________

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