Dear Anne,

Do you ever use intrathecals?  Do you have any opinion on the relative
merit of intrathecal vs: epidural anesthesia?

Thanks in advance.

Jonathan

On Mon, 22 Apr 1996 09:26:59 -0700, Anne Montgomery wrote:
>Just a comment about labor pain:  there is a difference between pain and
>suffering.  I view my painful labor with satisfaction because I did not
>suffer--I had no fear, lots of support, and was thrilled with the result.
>Culture has a tremendous influence on the expression of suffering.  I've
>cared for immigrant Hmong women giving birth--we knew it was time to put
>gloves on when they got beads of sweat on their foreheads as they never
>expressed discomfort.  Suffering starts with anticipation of pain (all
>those horror stories people are willing to share with prenant women), and
>continues when other conflicts enter the birthing room.  I'll take a doula
>over an epidural any day.  However, I do use epidurals for my patients who
>are suffering in a way which is interfering with their ability to feel
>good about the birth process, and in those who have needed intervention
>such as pitocin and are having trouble tolerating it.  These are always
>done with the mother's informed consent including information on the
>possible effects on the baby and breastfeeding initiation.  Like all
>technology, epidurals have a specific place--unfortunately, they (like
>ABM) are used as a substitute rather than as an occasionally useful
>supplement for the "right stuff", adequate labor support.