The Mommy Docs' Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Yvonne Bohn

Author:Yvonne Bohn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Published: 2011-04-11T00:00:00+00:00

Fever may result if you have an epidural. The exact cause is uncertain: It may be due to infection or your body’s inability to control your temperature from the medications used in the epidural space. Whatever the reason, if you do develop a fever, your doctor will most likely recommend IV antibiotics.

Finally, some moms are terrified of an epidural–just the thought that someone is going to put a needle near their spine is more than they can handle.

DADDY GOES DOWN

My patient Erin, a petite gymnastics teacher, had brought her tall, masculine pro-football player husband, Lance, with her to every prenatal appointment. Both first-time parents-to-be, they went through every stage of Erin’s pregnancy with flying colors. Lance seemed fascinated with the details of what would happen at the birth, where he could stand, and what he could see. His excitement was palpable.

One week before the due date, Erin’s water broke and her contractions came hard and furious. By the time the couple arrived at the hospital, she was five centimeters dilated and in serious pain. Lance did his best to comfort her, but she soon needed more than soothing words. Finally, an agonized Erin called out for an epidural.

She sat on the edge of the bed with her legs hanging off the side as Lance was engaged in conversation with the anesthesiologist. What was the medicine he was using? Where would the catheter go? How does he know he’s in the right spot? Lance was full of curiosity about the procedure.

As the doctor pulled the spinal needle out of its box, Lance glanced over Erin’s shoulder to look at it. He had no idea it would be so long! The next thing we knew, Lance felt nauseous, sweaty, and wobbly. He started to lose his balance as he began to faint, and he reached for Erin in one desperate effort to stay on his feet. However, it was too late. He hit the floor and pulled Erin off the bed with him. She tumbled over him, landing chin-first on the hardwood floor.

Lance was taken to the emergency room, and Erin, through one contraction after another, was helped back into bed, with a bleeding gash on her chin. She finally received her epidural and got some pain relief, but her chin continued to bleed. A plastic surgeon was called, and she received ten stitches.

A few hours later, I went to the room to deliver the baby. I found Lance lying on the sofa with an IV in his arm and Erin sitting in her bed with a giant ice pack and bandage taped to her chin. Needless to say, the delivery was a walk in the park compared to what they had been through before that. And everyone agreed–in a few years it would make for a great birth story.

–Allison

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