However, with epidurals, there are real dangers to both mothers and babies. Most significantly, NONE of the drugs used in epidurals or given for maternal pain relief have been proven safe for unborn children – or even newborns. 1 The unsafe drugs cross the placenta and enter a child’s bloodstream within seconds of being administered to a mother. 2 Local anesthetics that are commonly used in labor and delivery are known to cause maternal, fetal, and neonatal toxicity. 3
Giving these untested drugs to babies – through their mothers – is permissible because, believe it or not, the FDA doesn’t document the safety of obstetric drugs. In fact, risks and reactions aren’t even documented by health care providers. 4 Sadly, no studies have been performed on the effects of painkillers on fetuses. 5 That means that an obstetrician with good intentions can prescribe drugs that haven’t been tested for safety and then fail to report problems if they arise.
Drugs given to a mother during an epidural can change the baby’s heart rate, 6 slow the baby’s breathing, 7 induce seizures, 8 and have a negative effect on the brain and nervous system – and all problems can last well after the birth. 9
In 2008, a study was performed on twenty infants whose mothers had unmedicated births and twenty infants whose mothers had epidurals. The infants were tested four times in the first month of life; the infants exposed to epidurals had poorer orientation and motor skills. Additionally, the mothers who received the epidurals endured longer labors, used larger amounts of Pitocin to induce contractions, needed more deliveries with forceps, and spent less time with their infants in the hospital. 10
Even with these potential consequences, the American Pregnancy Association reports that more than half of all women giving birth at hospitals choose to use epidural anesthesia.11
How do epidurals affect labor?
Along with how epidurals affect newborns, a mother’s chance of experiencing negative side effects snowball once drugs are administered. Epidurals can cause a drop in blood pressure, headaches from leaking spinal fluid, nerve injuries, nausea, vomiting, shivering, itching, ringing of ears, infection, bleeding, fever, decreased ability to urinate, and backaches that can last weeks after childbirth. The now-medicated fetus requires heart monitoring, and the medicated mother needs IVs for fluids and a urinary catheter since all urges to urinate are no longer felt. 12 Epidurals may reduce pain and block sensation and movement, but this turns a mother from an active participant in the birthing process to a passive one. 13 It’s important to note that none of these side effects occur with unmedicated births.
Labor can slow down or stall because of epidurals, which increases the need for Pitocin. 14 Pushing becomes more difficult because the urge to push is not felt, so medicated mothers are twice as likely to deliver with forceps or vacuum extraction – and those methods can harm both the baby and mother. 15 Since there’s no feeling during the birthing process, unnatural strains are likely, resulting in anything from pulled muscles to episiotomies.
How do epidurals affect newborns?
The Cochrane Collaboration, an international not-for-profit organization that prepares, maintains, and promotes the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of health care, performed a study on epidural use and proved that Apgar scores are the same in newborns born in unmedicated births and newborns born with the help of epidurals. 16
However, a couple of other studies have shown that complications can occur. If mothers who had epidurals develop a fever after labor and delivery, newborns are more likely to be tested for sepsis. 17 Additionally, a study performed on 1,280 Australian mothers found that those who had epidurals were more likely to have complications with breastfeeding during the first week, and then stop breastfeeding in the first six months. 18
Of course, not all newborns delivered with epidurals are harmed. But when there are no risks associated with unmedicated childbirth, are medicated deliveries – and the risks they involve – absolutely necessary for most moms?
“Does an epidural put me or my baby at risk?” Dr. Judith Reichman. The Today Show. Feb. 22, 2006.
“Labor pain relief tied to problems for Infants.” Susan Gilbert. The New York Times. March 12, 1997.
“Epidural Anesthesia.” American Pregnancy Association.
15. “Epidural versus non-epidural or no analgesia in labour.” Millicent Anim-Somuah, Rebecca Smyth MD, Charlotte J. Howell. The Cochrane Library. Jan. 21, 2009.
“The Birth Book.” William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N. Little, Brown and Co. 1994, p. 178.
“Does an epidural put me or my baby at risk?” Dr. Judith Reichman. The Today Show. Feb. 22, 2006.
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Have you ready anything linking epidurals to migraine headaches (in mothers)? Just curious.
Yes, epidurals can cause headaches while being administered. Not sure if that means a tendency to migraines later though . . . interesting thought!
Unfortunately, epidurals are necessary in some situations. Example: my son (my second) was coming out the wrong way (facing up) and also presenting face first (instead of top of head first, so his neck was bent backwards and his head was digging into my spine–talk about painful!). My cervix wouldn’t relax enough to finish dilating and thinning, and the baby was in distress but I wasn’t allowed to push. An emergency c-section was about to be performed, but a new nurse suggested we try an epidural first. It relaxed my body enough that the cervix finished dilating/thinning, and I got him out rather quickly. Without the epidural, I would have had to have major surgery. And my baby boy was fine!
That said, I wish I didn’t get one with my third. I had to be induced (he was almost 2 weeks overdue and refused to come out), and I wasn’t sure how I’d handle the artificial labor pains. But the epidural only took on one side, so I had to go through transition in pain. If I hadn’t known the Bradley method from my first pregnancy, I wouldn’t have been able to get through it. So I always tell pregnant women that, even if they plan to get the epidural, have a back-up relaxation method, since pain-free is not a guarantee.
I did my first all natural though! And that was my longest (25 hours) labor!! So it goes against the data (the labor/delivery of my boys, with the epidurals, were only about 4 hours each). Hated that catheter part though! :) If I could have done all my deliveries natural, I would have.
Sara, I agree with Bethany … I’m not sure if epidurals are linked to migraines a long time after labor and delivery. But from what I’ve read, they’re definitely linked to post partum migraines and headaches.
Bethany, thank you for sharing your labor and delivery experiences. Isn’t it funny how mothers can have such radically different experiences with each child? I think you’ll like my upcoming childbirth series in November … my stories and opinions echo yours!
I found this site quite accidentally. After reading this post, I feel obliged to point out that much of the information here is outdated and misleading. For women who are interested in learning facts about childbirth, I would strongly suggest that they consult current peer-reviewed scientific literature.
Dr. Grant,
I’m sorry that you have found the information to be both outdated and misleading. After receiving your comment I researched the issue and made minor updates. Ironically enough, in the most recent scientific studies, I discovered additional maternal risks.
As a woman who is extremely interested in learning facts about childbirth, I would appreciate any links you have to peer-reviewed scientific literature – particularly scientific journals and published studies.
Hilary,
I had a similar story to Bethany, and my sister’s experience (who just gave birth this week) was almost identical to mine. I have become very interested in understanding why our bodies tense up with the pain of contractions. In my case and my sister’s, we just could not relax and the cervix did not make the progress needed to allow for delivery. Breathing techniques for me turned into hyperventilating. After laboring for hours and hours, within minutes of epidural administrations, my sister and I both had our newborns in our arms.
There are obviously risks with childbirth overall and with medical intervention. It seems that each family needs to weigh the risks and benefits and sometimes it’s about comparing risks vs OTHER risks. (epidural vs c section)
Love reading your posts as always.
K.
Kim –
You are absolutely right! It really IS about comparing risks vs. other risks! So many things can go wrong in childbirth … it amazes me that so many healthy babies are born.