Understanding Epidurals During Labor
Epidurals are a way to make labor and delivery less painful and more calm and controlled. They are a form of regional pain control that provide pain relief to a whole area of the body, including below the belly button (including the vaginal walls) to the legs.
With an epidural, a woman in labor is comfortable and still fully awake. An epidural (ep-ih-DUR-el) is the most common way that women get pain medicines during childbirth.
Also called an epidural block, this procedure involves inserting a thin catheter through the lower back into the epidural space, allowing pain medication to be delivered continuously throughout labor and delivery.
What Are Epidurals?
Epidurals are a way to make labor and delivery less painful and more calm and controlled.
Epidurals are a way to make labor and delivery less painful and more calm and controlled.
Epidurals are a form of regional pain control. They provide pain relief to a whole area of the body, including below the belly button (including the vaginal walls) to the legs.
With an epidural, a woman in labor is comfortable and still fully awake.
An epidural (ep-ih-DUR-el) is the most common way that women get pain medicines during childbirth.
How Are Epidurals Done?
An epidural involves the insertion of a thin, tube-like catheter through the lower back into the area just outside the membrane covering the spinal cord.
An epidural involves the insertion of a thin, tube-like catheter through the lower back into the area just outside the membrane covering the spinal cord (called the epidural space).
You'll sit or lie on your side with your back rounded while the doctor inserts the epidural catheter.
It takes just a few minutes to insert the epidural catheter. The skin is numbed first, so you'll feel just a stick or pinch and some pressure.
A needle is only used to thread the thin catheter into place. Then, it's removed. You may be aware of the catheter in your back, but this isn't painful or uncomfortable.
The epidural catheter will stay in place throughout your labor and delivery.
What Does an Epidural Feel Like?
The medicine given through the epidural catheter can be pain relievers, a numbing medicine, or a combination of both.
The medicine given through the epidural catheter can be pain relievers (such as opioids), a numbing medicine (anesthesia), or a combination of both.
You should start to feel the effects of the medicine in 10–20 minutes. You may still feel the pressure of contractions, but you shouldn't feel the pain.
Being aware of your contractions will help when you start to push.
As the doctor adjusts the dosage, your legs may feel a little weak, warm, tingly, numb, or heavy.
Unlike with some other labor and delivery medicines, you'll be fully alert and aware of what's going on.
What Are the Benefits of Epidurals?
Epidurals provide good pain relief for as long as a woman needs it during labor.
Epidurals provide good pain relief for as long as a woman needs it during labor. The dose of medicine can be adjusted as the labor progresses, and even stopped if needed.
Usually the dose is small enough that women stay alert, are aware of contractions, and have enough strength to push with each contraction.
Because most of the medicine stays in the epidural space, very little enters the mother's (and baby's) bloodstream. This is why epidurals are usually very safe for both mother and baby.
A woman who needs to have an unplanned C-section in the middle of labor can get stronger numbing medicine through the epidural catheter. This will make her lose all feeling from the waist down, but she can still be awake during surgery.
If no epidural catheter is in place and a woman needs an emergency C-section, she might get general anesthesia to "sleep" through the procedure and not feel any pain.
Key Benefits:
- Provides effective pain relief throughout labor
- Dosage can be adjusted as needed
- Allows you to remain alert and aware
- You can still feel contractions (pressure) to help with pushing
- Very safe for both mother and baby
- Can be used for emergency C-sections if needed
What Are the Risks of Epidurals?
Epidurals do have some drawbacks that should be considered.
Epidurals do have some drawbacks. They might make it harder for a woman to push the baby out, though the anesthesiologist can adjust the medicine if this happens.
Epidurals can make the mother's blood pressure drop, which can affect blood flow to the baby.
They may cause side effects such as headache, itchiness, fever, nausea, or vomiting.
Epidurals can cause temporary trouble with peeing, requiring a urinary catheter.
Potential Risks:
- May make it harder to push (though medicine can be adjusted)
- Can lower mother's blood pressure
- May cause headache, itchiness, fever, nausea, or vomiting
- May require a urinary catheter
Will an Epidural Affect My Baby?
Some epidural medicine does reach the baby, but it's much less than what a baby would get from other pain relief methods.
Some epidural medicine does reach the baby. But it's much less than what a baby would get if the mother had pain medicines through an IV or general anesthesia.
The risks of an epidural to the baby are minimal, but include possible distress.
Usually, this means the mother's lowered blood pressure causes a slower heartbeat in the baby. This is easily treated by giving the mother fluids through the IV and changing her position to improve her circulation.
How Will I Feel After Delivery?
After delivery, you may experience some effects as the epidural medicine wears off.
You may shiver a little after your baby is born (which is common with or without an epidural).
Your legs might be numb and tingly as the medicine wears off, which may take a little while. So you might not be able to walk around for at least a few hours after the birth.
Even after that, ask someone to help you until your legs feel back to normal.
If you had a C-section, the doctor may continue the epidural for a while after the delivery to control any pain.
Your back might be sore for a few days where the epidural was inserted.
Very rarely, women who get epidurals may have very bad headaches after the birth.
Key Takeaways
Effective Pain Relief
Epidurals provide effective pain relief throughout labor while allowing you to remain alert and aware.
Adjustable Dosage
The dose can be adjusted as labor progresses or even stopped if needed.
Safe for Baby
Very little medicine enters the bloodstream, making epidurals safe for both mother and baby.
Useful for C-Sections
Can provide anesthesia for unplanned or emergency C-sections while keeping you awake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an epidural?
An epidural is a form of regional pain control used during labor and delivery. It provides pain relief to a whole area of the body, from below the belly button to the legs. It's the most common way that women get pain medicines during childbirth. With an epidural, a woman in labor is comfortable and still fully awake.
How is an epidural administered?
An epidural involves inserting a thin, tube-like catheter through the lower back into the area just outside the membrane covering the spinal cord (called the epidural space). The skin is numbed first, so you'll feel just a stick or pinch and some pressure. The catheter stays in place throughout your labor and delivery. The process takes just a few minutes.
What does an epidural feel like?
You should start to feel the effects of the medicine in 10–20 minutes. You may still feel the pressure of contractions, but you shouldn't feel the pain. As the doctor adjusts the dosage, your legs may feel a little weak, warm, tingly, numb, or heavy. You'll remain fully alert and aware of what's going on.
What are the benefits of an epidural?
Epidurals provide good pain relief for as long as you need it during labor. The dose can be adjusted as labor progresses. You stay alert and aware of contractions, which helps with pushing. Because most of the medicine stays in the epidural space, very little enters the mother's and baby's bloodstream, making it very safe for both. It can also be used for emergency C-sections if needed.
What are the risks or side effects of epidurals?
Epidurals might make it harder to push (though medicine can be adjusted), can lower the mother's blood pressure, may cause headache, itchiness, fever, nausea, or vomiting, and may require a urinary catheter. These side effects are typically manageable and temporary.
Will an epidural affect my baby?
Some epidural medicine does reach the baby, but it's much less than what a baby would get from other pain relief methods like IV medicines or general anesthesia. The risks to the baby are minimal. If the mother's blood pressure drops and affects the baby's heartbeat, this is easily treated with IV fluids and position changes.
How will I feel after delivery with an epidural?
Your legs might be numb and tingly as the medicine wears off, which may take a few hours. You might not be able to walk around for at least a few hours after birth. Your back might be sore for a few days where the epidural was inserted. Very rarely, women may have severe headaches after the birth. These effects are usually temporary.
Can I still feel contractions with an epidural?
Yes, you may still feel the pressure of contractions with an epidural, but you shouldn't feel the pain. Being aware of your contractions will help when you start to push. The epidural is designed to block pain while allowing you to feel the pressure needed to push effectively.
Can an epidural be used for a C-section?
Yes, if you need an unplanned C-section during labor, stronger numbing medicine can be given through the epidural catheter. This will make you lose all feeling from the waist down, but you can still be awake during surgery. If no epidural is in place and an emergency C-section is needed, you might receive general anesthesia instead.
Is an epidural safe?
Epidurals are generally very safe for both mother and baby. Because most of the medicine stays in the epidural space, very little enters the bloodstream. The anesthesiologist will monitor you throughout and can adjust the dosage as needed. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some risks and side effects that should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Important Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider, anesthesiologist, or obstetrician for personalized guidance regarding pain management during labor and delivery, including whether an epidural is right for you.
Decisions about pain management during childbirth are personal and should be made in consultation with your healthcare team. Discuss your options, preferences, and any concerns you may have with your doctor before and during labor.