WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for February, 1998: Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates

Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates

From: Kelly Shanahan, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 28 Feb 1998 21:21:30 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Geffrey H. Klein, MD: "Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates"
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At Sat, 28 Feb 1998, Geffrey H. Klein, MD wrote: >
>On 2/28/98, Amy wrote this:
>
>Q> It was Dr. Marchbein who stated that 92% of women had epidurals at his
>Q> hospital. I don't think it is confrontational or unfair to ask him
>Q> about those statistics. It could be that he doesn't agree with an
>Q> epidural rate like that.
>
>I would agree with a hospital's 92% epidural rate. What that means to me is
>that 92% of the women who labored and delivered at this hospital requested
>a service and received it. It was a patient decision to have an accepted
>and useful medical procedure. Just because one person believes that labor
>pain is tolerable without anesthesia does not mean that everyone agrees.
>It is a personal choice based on cultural beliefs, education from
>colleagues, personal experience, and informed consent.
>
>--
>----------------------------------
>Geffrey H. Klein, MD
>----------------------------------

>----------------------------------

I agree with Dr Klein 100% --if women are gagged, tied down and epidurals are forced on them, then even 1% is too high, But, if 92% or 55% or 100% of laboring women in a particular hospital want an epidural, then they should get them! It is an individual woman's decision. Here's what I tell my patients when they ask if they should get an epidural: "When you are in labor, I am not having any pain -- so don't ask me what to do. If you feel you need something to help you out, I'll tell you what your options are at that particular point in your labor, and I'll remind you of the good and bad points. You are the one having pain, and if you think an epidural will give you a better birth experience, tehn by all means get one"

The key here is CHOICE.

--
Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
S. Lake Tahoe, CA

note: Opinions here are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your own physician. It cannot take the place of a face to face consultation and examination.
Sorry, but private e-mails will not be answered.

Next message: Kelly Shanahan, MD: "Re: Raloxifene"
Previous message: Kelly Shanahan, MD: "Re: Genital Warts"
In reply to: Geffrey H. Klein, MD: "Re: epidurals ... and NY C-section rates"
Next in thread: Stormy: "Re: epidurals and health of newborns"

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