Appropriate Use vs. Overuse of Epidural: How to Decide if an Epidural is Right for You

Host Debra Pascali-Bonaro examines the overuse of epidurals and explores its impact on people’s chances to experience a pleasurable orgasmic birth. She encourages listeners to be aware of their options when it comes to epidurals – understanding both the benefits and risks associated with using one. This conversation provides tips on oxytocin enhancers and other techniques to manage pain during childbirth. Debra also discusses how hospitals often use language that can create fear or anxiety around birth, which can lead to unnecessary medical interventions.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about how you can have an empowered and pleasurable birthing experience!

In this episode:

The importance to know all options, benefits, risks, alternatives and intuition before making an informed decision about epidural
Exploring Pain vs Suffering in the Hospital
Understanding how comfort measures can provide calm and comfort in labor
How to create a code word for when an epidural is offered
Penny Simkin’s Pain Medication Preference Scale helps to understand preferences
Evidence-basedbirth.com provides resources on pain management during labor and birth

Listen Now!

Key Takeaways:

Epidurals can be a valuable tool, but overuse is putting people at risk and decreasing their chance of having a pleasurable orgasmic birth
Epidurals typically slow labor and create a hormonal gap
Pain is not a descriptor for many people, but in hospitals it is
The language and environment of hospitals can create pain
Pain and suffering are different; one can exist without the other

Tweetable Quotes:

“No one should suffer in childbirth. But by having someone there and now personalizing that we need to justify the budget it’s now a personal thing.” – Debra Pascali-Bonaro

“Pain can be a normal part of labor. It’s giving you the messages. When you listen to your body and listen to your baby, you’ll be able to feel if you get in one position that feels better that’s often leaning forward and moving.” – Debra Pascali-Bonaro

Prefer to Watch?

Learn from the leading expert in pleasurable birth

Pleasurable Birth Essentials
with Debra Pascali-Bonaro

You Deserve A Safe, Pleasurable, and Empowering Birth!

Pleasurable Birth Essentials: Transform Pain to Power provides a unique blend of sexy scientific knowledge, engaging activities, birth stories, and expert guidance to lead you to unlocking your inner power and your innate pleasure.