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Anesthetists see epidurals as another toolCertified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Chris Pippert considers the introduction of epidurals for laboring moms at New Ulm Medical Center to be “a wonderful tool in our arsenal of techniques that we can use to help the patient make the labor process less painful.” “I think patients are really going to be happy to have this option available to them,” Pippert said. A variety of other pain control options are also available, including intrathecal medications, along with breathing and relaxation techniques. Fellow CRNA Erin Ashby couldn’t agree more. “I am very excited that we are able to offer epidurals. I think it provides better pain control,” Ashby said. “The patient is still able to move and still able to push. Since the medication is given continuously, the patient will have longer lasting pain control too.” Ashby began working at NUMC recently and had extensive experience in performing epidurals at the hospital where she worked in Michigan. Ashby has been a CRNA for three years and was a registered nurse in pediatric intensive care before that for ten years. She went back to school to earn her Masters degree because, she said, “I was really interested in the high tech aspect I was exposed to in the intensive care unit and I wanted to be more involved in that. “I like to be autonomous and I love the variety of cases you get as an anesthetist at NUMC,” Ashby said. “You deal with the whole range of patients from healthy to very sick patients and all the challenges that both aspects bring.” Ashby earned her graduate degree from Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic and after working for three years in Michigan wanted to move back closer to her family in northern Iowa. “I missed Iowa, if anybody in Minnesota can believe that,” she laughed. The most anticipated benefit of offering labor epidurals will be for women laboring for the first time, Ashby said. “A lot of women know about epidurals and want them. They want to know that their pain will be controlled,” Ashby said. “If you are a first time mom, you could be in labor for some time.” To prepare for offering the new procedure, Pippert said, the nurse anesthetists at NUMC have done a great deal of formal and informal training and research in order to determine the most appropriate and most current techniques, equipment and medications. “We’re confident that we are providing good and safe care for all of our patients” says Pippert. A CRNA attends the childbirth classes to discuss pain control options, risks and side effects and the obstetrician will also make recommendations to the patient on an individual basis. “When the patient is in the hospital the CRNA will be called, if appropriate, to the patient’s bedside to further discuss the patient’s options and proceed with whatever plan is agreed upon. “There are always risks with anesthesia” states Pippert, “but the benefits usually outweigh the risks and I think our patients are going to be very happy that we are offering this new service.” Related Links Obstetrical services at New Ulm Medical Center  Back to Health Edition |
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