For some procedures, it is necessary for a patient to be administered a form of anesthesia to control pain. This process can be worrisome for patients; however, the risks are low and it is considered one of the safest practices performed. There are multiple ways that anesthesia can be administered to a patient.
An epidural is an injection that is administered into an area outside of the membrane which protects the spinal cord. This method is used to relieve pain experienced during labor or surgery. This is the most common method of pain relief utilized by women in labor.
Like an epidural, spinal anesthetic is administered to a patient by a needle inserted into the spinal canal. In comparison to an epidural, the effects of this anesthetic are felt much sooner. This process is used during cesarean section surgeries or when forceps are needed.
This method involves a series of injections which helps decrease the pain in a specific area. Local anesthesia is commonly used during a repair or with placement of sutures, if needed.
Regarded as the ideal option when time is a factor, general anesthetics can be administered quickly both intravenously or by having the patient inhale anesthetic gases. If there are complications during the delivery process, this form of anesthetic may be required.
Before having any procedure requiring anesthesia, a patient will have a physical health history exam to identify risks that may affect anesthesia use.
As anesthesia may affect the cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems, a patient is monitored during its use. Monitoring devices may include a blood pressure cuff, electrocardiogram (EKG) with electrodes, temperature probe, pulse oximeter, and other methods.