How is an epidural given? A doctor called an anesthesiologist administers the medication. He or she will have you either lean forward while sitting on the bed, or lie down on your side to give you your epidural.
Will it hurt? Your lower back will be washed with antiseptic, and then the anesthesiologist will give a small shot of numbing medication, so that it will not hurt when the epidural needle goes into your back. You may feel some pressure when the doctor puts the needle into your back, but it should not hurt. The needle is attached to a flexible tube, called a catheter, which is used to deliver the numbing medication to the right place.
The epidural, which takes effect almost immediately, is designed to block feeling from the waist down. You are still completely awake and alert.
What else will happen when I get an epidural? Before you get an epidural, a nurse will start an IV line in your arm, to give you extra fluids, and to provide a place to give medications if you have side effects that need to be treated. The nurse will also place two monitors on your belly with elastic belts, to keep track of your contractions and the baby's heart rate. Your blood pressure will be checked often.
After the epidural is given, you will not be able to feel or move your legs, and you will not be able to walk or use the bathroom. A flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into the opening where your urine comes out, so that your bladder can empty while the epidural is in place.
When can I get an epidural? Studies show that waiting until you are in active labor and your cervix is dilated to 4 cm before getting an epidural is best. If it is given sooner, the medication in an epidural is more likely to cause your labor to stall.
Will an epidural get rid of all my pain? Different women have different amounts of sensation with an epidural. Some cannot feel any pain or pressure. Many women can feel pressure, and they also feel a burning sensation in the opening of their vagina when the baby's head is coming out. The amount of medication can be lessened as the time to push draws near, and many women can feel an urge to bear down, while having some pain relief during the pushing stage. Others cannot feel an urge to push and will need the nurse to tell them when to bear down. Some women experience "hot spots", areas where the medication is not blocking their pain.
How long does an epidural last? Epidurals last for varying amounts of time, but you will probably have to stay in bed for 24 hours after it is administered, until it wears off completely and your legs have full sensation again.
What are the benefits of getting an epidural? An epidural provides pain relief. It often enables tired moms to rest during labor and can help them regain the strength they need to push out their baby. A woman with an epidural is completely awake and aware; the medication only affects them from the waist down. Epidurals cause less side effects to the baby than pain medications given through an IV.
What are the risks of getting an epidural? The biggest risk with an epidural is that your blood pressure may drop too low. The nurse takes your blood pressure frequently to monitor this. You will be given fluids through your IV and placed lying on your side, to prevent a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Sometimes an epidural can slow or stop your labor. The baby may have more trouble moving down the birth canal, which may elevate your chances of needing a cesarean section, and the pushing stage may take longer. Some women have low back pain and soreness for a few days after receiving an epidural.
Epidural medication can cause nausea, vomiting, and itching. Medications can be given to treat these side-effects.
Rarely, a woman's breathing can become too slow after receiving an epidural. The nurse then gives a medication to reverse the effects of the epidural, so that breathing returns to normal.
