When is spinal anesthesia used?
The choice of anesthesia depends mainly on the urgency and the reason for the caesarean section, as well as the mother’s wishes. In spinal anaesthesia, mostly planned and urgent caesarean sections are performed, where the baby is to be delivered within half an hour. In an emergency cesarean section, there is a danger to the mother or child.
Since the Caesarean section should be performed as quickly as possible, general anesthesia is usually chosen because of its immediate effect. There are certain diseases of the mother that speak against spinal anaesthesia in a caesarean section, such as diseases of blood coagulation that are associated with a tendency to bleed. Infections, shock and increased intracranial pressure are also considered contraindications for performing a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.
Spinal anaesthesia may not be performed in case of certain malformations or injuries of the mother’s spine. Spinal anaesthesia is also not recommended for certain cardiovascular diseases and diseases of the central nervous system. The choice of the anaesthetic procedure should generally be decided individually for each case after detailed consultation with the anaesthetist and weighing up the benefits and risks.
The basic prerequisite for the performance of a spinal anaesthesia is the cooperation of the mother, as her active cooperation is necessary. If severe nausea or dizziness or extreme anxiety and excitement occur during spinal anaesthesia, a switch to general anaesthesia may be necessary. General anesthesia may also be necessary during the procedure if breathing difficulties, surgical problems or unexpected pain occur.Therefore the anaesthetist is always prepared to perform general anaesthesia in case of problems.
Advantages
Spinal anaesthesia is considered a simple and very reliable technique in general and also for caesarean section. It can be performed quickly, the effect sets in after a short time and switches off the pain sensation in the lower body for 3-4 hours. The choice of spinal anaesthesia for a caesarean section allows the mother to consciously experience the birth of her child.
She is awake, breathes by herself and feels no pain. The muscles of the lower half of the body are paralyzed by the anesthetic. During a caesarean section performed under spinal anesthesia, the father is usually allowed to be present as well, so that the mother has support at her side.
The fact that the mother is not in a drug-induced deep sleep during the procedure means that many risks of general anesthesia can be avoided. The child is not burdened with narcotic drugs as is the case with general anaesthesia. All in all, spinal anaesthesia is an anaesthetic method with few complications for mother and child. Some studies suggest that spinal anaesthesia methods, such as spinal anaesthesia, are safer for mother and child during a caesarean section. For this reason, spinal anaesthesia should be preferred to general anaesthesia for a caesarean section, unless there is a reason against it.
