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| Home > Complication & Medications > Benefits and Risks of Drugs
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| | Benefits and Risks of Drugs
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 Drugs are often used when babies are not born naturally and surgical interventions like forceps or an episiotomy are required. In any case, anesthesia will be used for C section. Usage of medication should be carefully considered with the help of your physician and the expected physical or psychological benefits must be studied against its possible risk. If and only if the benefit outweighs risk, your physician should consider using the medication in labor. For example, in labors which are exceptionally long, difficult or complicated, benefits of medication and surgical intervention far outweigh the risks. On the other hand, usage of medication and\or surgical intervention in straight forward, uncomplicated labors may have possible risks which are likely to outweigh the possible benefits.
Since it is impossible to predict the type of labor you will have, it is better to keep an open mind when considering usage of medication in labor. You must be well aware of the various complications that may arise during labor, the possible medication and surgical intervention to counter the complications, the risks and benefits associated with each of these medications or interventions. Discuss these options with your physician in the presence of your partner and come to a decision regarding the path you should follow long before labor begins.
Usually labors are straightforward and can be handled without pain medication, however, some are extremely long and exhausting, some may be short but very painful and some may require surgical intervention essentially painful in nature. Hence, a difficult labor usually requires pain medication. You should be aware what are such medications, their risks and their benefits so that you can choose wisely and appropriately. In order to understand the various types of pain medications and when they are most suitable, you should be aware that certain drugs and anesthetics are appropriate only during par-ticular phases and stages of labor. For example some medica-tions interfere with the progress of labor if given too early. Others are given early to give time for most of the drug to be excreted from the baby`s system by birth. As a result you may be offered one medication during the latent phase of labor and a different medication during transition or birth. When used appropriately medications relieve some or all of your pain while not seriously compromising the well-being of your baby or the progress of labor.
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