Spinal anesthesia for caesarean section
Since spinal anaesthesia is a widely used anaesthetic method for operations on the lower abdomen or the groin region, the operation caesarean section is also a common indication in Germany to ensure that the patient is free of pain by means of spinal anaesthesia. Together with epidural anaesthesia (PDA), it is the most commonly used anaesthetic method for caesarean section. Both the planned caesarean section and the so-called urgent caesarean section, in which the child should be born within half an hour, are often performed under spinal anaesthesia.
Only the emergency caesarean section with possible threat to the life of the child or mother is an indication for general anesthesia because of the usually faster readiness for surgery. Spinal anaesthesia in caesarean section offers several advantages compared to other anaesthetic procedures. Due to the technique of this procedure, the effects of freedom from pain and muscle relaxation, i.e. muscle slackening, occur more quickly than with epidural or general anesthesia.
They are also more pronounced, which means fewer complications. In addition, the depth of the spinal anesthesia can be controlled very well beyond the end of the operation and less local anesthetic is needed than with an epidural. In addition, there are further advantages for the special application during a caesarean section.
On the one hand, the mother can witness the birth of her own child. This may sound secondary, but for most women the birth is one of the most important and impressive moments of their lives. The 9-month wait comes to an end and for mother-child bonding, the first time the mother holds her child in her arms is a key moment.
In addition, the child is not given stressful doses of anesthetic medication.Not to be underestimated is the fact that regional anaesthesia procedures such as spinal anaesthesia are less likely to cause complications in the child or mother than general anaesthesia. This is due to the small amounts of systemically acting drugs and not least because the patient is awake, breathes independently and has the body’s own protective reflexes. All in all, spinal anaesthesia is a popular anaesthetic procedure used in caesarean section. As a rule, the anesthesia is trouble-free and offers good freedom from pain with fewer side effects and complications.
