The Availability of Labour Epidural Anesthesia in Three Cracow's Hospitals

Introduction: In this thesis were described physiological changes caused by pregnancy as well as obstetric anesthesia problems related to a mother and a child. A mechanism of  pain formation and its impact on the labour process and the child was presented. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods to alleviate birth pang were discussed.
A special deal of attention was drew to epidural anesthesia of  labour, indications and contradictions of its usage, possible complications as well as impact on the labour process and the child.

Materials & Methods: The aim of the thesis is to determine the epidural anesthesia of labour in three Cracow’ s hospitals as well as to get to know the opinion of women concerning the epidural anesthesia during the labour. A survey was conducted among (120) one hundred twenty women in childbirth, (40) forty women from each hospital.

Results & Conclusions: Obtained results prove that the most labours with the use of epidural anesthesia are held in The R. Czerwiakowski Hospital and the fewest in The S. Żeromski Hospital. According to surveyed women the epidural anesthesia is a safe method to alleviate labour pain and eliminates pain and fear of delivery. In majority, women think that the anesthesia is little available and should be reimbursed.

 

Key words: pregnancy, labour pain, epidural anaesthesia