Anesthesia during childbirth deadly

In America, a growing number of cases of women dying in childbirth. The cause of these deaths are complications caused by spinal anesthesia.

Scientists from the University of Colorado have estimated that the level of deaths using anesthesia during childbirth   in general, it is constantly decreasing. Meanwhile, the number of deaths due to complications caused by the use of so-called local anesthetic , Including the epidural, in which a woman in labor is conscious, it increases slightly.

Local anesthesia during childbirth   It considered a relatively safe choice. However, in some cases, patients may experience severe allergic reactions, drug and anesthesia is able to cause breathing problems or heart.

Between 1979 and 2002, the level of deaths due to complications from anesthesia during childbirth   It fell by 59%. On average, from 1979 to 1990 occurred three deaths per every million births, and in the later period of only one case in a million. The most recent information available to the researchers, concerned only 2002, so that the situation for the last period we do not know.

These studies are published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. The study's authors emphasize that the death rate from anesthesia as a whole has been steadily declining, but the number of deaths caused by local anesthesia Somewhat grown, which can not inspire anxiety.

"It should bother - said study author Dr. Joy Hawkins School of Medicine at the University of Colorado. - Women should be aware that the level of deaths due to anesthesia during childbirth   very low, and it is better to minimize the risks. If you have the strength to refuse anesthesia, it is best to do so. "

Pregnancy and Gynecology

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