PAINLESS DELIVERY (EPIDURAL)

An epidural is a procedure that injects a local anaesthetic into the space around the spinal nerves in your lower back.

This anaesthetic usually blocks pain from labour contractions during birth very effectively. With an epidural you can usually still push your baby out when you need to.

What are the advantages of an epidural?

Epidurals have many advantages:

• They are usually very effective.
• They are generally very safe.
• After an epidural, you may still be able to move around in bed and push when you need to.
• If you have a long labour, an epidural allows you to sleep and recover your strength.
• If you're having a caesarean, you can stay awake and your partner can be there.

What are the disadvantages of an epidural?

If you have an epidural, you will usually develop some temporary weakness in your legs. This means that you will need to stay in bed to avoid falls.
Since epidurals can cause low blood pressure, you will need to have your blood pressure monitored. You might also need to have fluids given to you through a tube in your arm.
You will also usually need a catheter (tube) in your bladder to help you pass urine, as an epidural can make you lose feeling in your bladder.
Your baby will need to be closely monitored during your labour.
Epidurals do not affect your baby directly.

An epidural is usually done by an anaesthetist.

Surg. Dr. Şafak GENÇ
Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist
08.11.2022