[wl]

The problem that The Retrievals deals with is epidurals failing during cesarians, which, they're quick to emphasize, is painful, open abdominal surgery. The not-so-simple solution is to convert to general anesthesia (anesthetic gas, IV propofol, etc). This isn't without its risks to the mother and the child, so there's reluctance on the part of anesthesiologists to go that route if there's other options. The result is unnecessary birth trauma.

[atrus]

> This isn't without its risks to the mother and the child

> The result is unnecessary birth trauma.

Not trying to be snarky, but which is it? This is definitely a situation in which having a midwife there to advocate for you is an absolute plus.

[wl]

If it were as simple as waving a magic wand and fixing the epidural or bringing on the anesthetic gas, we wouldn't have this problem.

The consensus seems to be shifting more towards converting to general anesthesia after epidural failure unless there are very clear reasons not to.

[advisedwang]

The "risk to mother and child" is referring to using general anesthesia. The "unnecessary birth trauma" is referring to C-section without any anesthesia.

[canjobear]

Midwives don’t participate in C-sections