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Birth Classes
 . CLASS TWO, SECTION II.
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C. Analgesia and Anesthesia
Although analgesics and anesthetics affect the fetus, so do the pain and stress of labor. Analgesia will decrease the pain; anesthesia will completely block the pain. You should discuss pain relief with your clinician before the day of labor. Be sure to let your OB care provider know if pain relief is not working. You and your baby will be monitored throughout the time anesthesia/analgesia is used.

1) Systemic drugs (usually given by intravenous route)

(a) Narcotic analgesics: Demerol (meperidine)

(b) Sedatives: barbiturates

 2) Regional analgesia and anesthesia: Affects a certain area; can be a single dose or continuous by indwelling catheter
(a) Types of pain blocks
(1) Lumbar epidural: This is given through injection into the spinal vertebrae in the epidural space. It affects the vagina and perineum, given in first and second stages of labor.

(2) Pudendal: This is given through injection into the spinal vertebrae, hyperbaric subarachnoid. It affects the perineum and lower vagina, given in the second stage, and just before birth to provide anesthesia for episiotomy or low forceps delivery.

(3) Local infiltration: This is given by injection into the perineum. It affects the perineum and is administered just before birth to provide anesthesia for episiotomy.

 3) General anesthesia (a) May be needed for cesarean delivery or surgery because of complications or planned procedures

(b) Can be inhalation or intravenous or a combination of both
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