The epidural catheter is then inserted into the epidural space. The epidural portion is used only during the later stages of labor once the patient is back in bed. For patients requiring a Cesarean Section, anesthesia available includes general, epidural and spinal. Because the patient is completely asleep under general anesthesia, most anesthesiologists prefer not to give this type of anesthesia because of the associated risk of vomiting. However, because of the total anesthetic and the least amount of tie in which it is achieved, a general anesthetic will be used during an emergency C-section if there is any severe distress to the baby.
Risks associated with anesthetics vary by intensity.
With the general anesthesia, the risk involves the patient vomiting into her air passages. The spinal and epidural anesthetic comes with the risk of post dual or spinal headaches. Another complication is the hypotension with secondary fetal distress after placement of the spinal or epidural anesthetic. This complication, however, is very rare and can usually be prevented by giving the laboring patient extra intravenous fluids prior to placing the anesthetic. Remember that your care during pregnancy should be a collaborative effort between you, your doctor and your anesthesiologist.