July 13, 2006 – Childbirth can be one of the most memorable experiences in a woman's life, but it can also be one of the most painful. That pain can now be reduced thanks to a new service provided in the Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
Dr. Silvina Salvo, a board-certified anesthesiologist, will be working with obstetricians at Schneider Regional to provide epidural analgesia during childbirth.
"We are happy to have Dr. Salvo provide this service in conjunction with our outstanding obstetricians and anesthesiologists already practicing here," said Rodney E. Miller Sr., president and CEO of Schneider Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Margaret Sprauve, chief of Obstetrics/Gynecology, also welcomed Salvo to the Schneider Regional family as the hospital "aspire[s] to provide competent, comprehensive, and compassionate care to our obstetric patients."
Schneider Regional's Medical Director Dr. Thelma Ruth Watson said that with this new service, "St. Thomas women who want epidurals during childbirth no longer have to leave the territory."
A native of Argentina, Salvo earned her medical degree at the University of Buenos Aires, where she graduated with honors. She completed her anesthesia training at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. After completing her fellowship in Intensive Care Medicine at the University of Iowa, she returned to Mount Sinai, where she was appointed assistant professor of anesthesiology.
Epidural anesthesia is considered the most effective and easily adjustable pain medication for childbirth. It is given through a very thin tube placed on the lower back to numb the feeling in the abdomen.
"The goal of an epidural is to block just the pain," Salvo said. "The patient can still feel her contractions, but they are less painful and easier to manage. Because the pain medication is injected directly into the epidural space, the baby will not be affected, Salvo added.
Salvo said she is happy to have relocated to St. Thomas and looks forward to working with the staff of the Labor & Delivery Unit at Schneider Hospital.
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