What are the benefits of an epidural?

What are the pros of having an epidural?

Pain relief.
It allows you to rest.
It can help you stay alert.
It may help reduce postpartum depression.
You can get an epidural anytime during labor.
They're effective for longer surgical procedures.

Similarly, what are the advantages of an epidural?

It creates less anxiety and less stress. In some patients who have lower pain threshold it enables an emotionally positive experience. The other advantages of the epidural are that it also helps relax the muscles in the pelvis which when you're in pain you try to contract everything in your body.

Additionally, why is it bad to get an epidural? Nerve damage The needle used to deliver the epidural can hit a nerve, leading to temporary or permanent loss of feeling in your lower body. Bleeding around the area of the spinal cord and using the wrong medication in the epidural can also cause nerve damage. This side effect is extremely rare.

In this way, is it worth getting an epidural?

The pros. In most cases, an epidural provides very effective pain relief. And if you're dealt a difficult labour, this could make the difference between a positive birth experience and a negative one. A common benefit of epidural — a drop in blood pressure — can reduce these risks.

Is it better to have a natural birth or epidural?

Giving birth can and should be a beautiful experience. But the prospect of delivery may give some women anxiety because of the anticipated pain and discomfort. While many women opt to receive epidurals (medication for pain relief) to have a more comfortable labor, many more are choosing natural births.

35 Related Question Answers Found

When should you get epidural?

“If your hospital only has one anaesthesiologist and a car accident comes in, it could be a long wait,” says Bacon. Ideally, an epidural is started when the woman is at least four centimetres dilated and in active labour (having strong and regular contractions).

What are the side effects of an epidural?

Side effects Epidural

Low blood pressure. It's normal for blood pressure to fall a little when you have an epidural.
Loss of bladder control.
Itchy skin.
Feeling sick.
Inadequate pain relief.
Headache.
Slow breathing.
Temporary nerve damage.

How bad is labor pain?

Pain During Labor and Delivery

This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Some women experience pain in their sides or thighs as well. Pain during labor is different for every woman. It varies widely from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy.

How does an epidural feel?

"From the patient perspective, the numbing medicine feels like a bee-sting," she explains. Once you've been numbed, you won't feel the epidural needle inserted into your back. You may feel pressure as the epidural needle is inserted into the right spot, but you shouldn't feel the actual needle.

What is the difference between a spinal and an epidural?

What is the difference between an epidural and a spinal anaesthetic? A spinal is a single injection with a thin needle that puts the local anaesthetic close to the nerves, within the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord. An epidural usually stays in place for 2-3 days.

Can epidurals cause long term problems?

Despite controversy about safety, current literature suggests serious long-term complications as a result of epidural steroid administration are rare. These potential long-term complications are primarily related to infection, bleeding, endocrine effects, and neurologic complications.

How do you push with an epidural?

For women with epidural anesthesia who do not feel the urge to push when they are completely dilated, delay pushing until the urge to push is felt (up to 2 hours for nulliparous women and up to 1 hour for multiparous women). Use upright positioning with the woman's feet flat on the bed.

Does Labor still hurt with an epidural?

An epidural is a type of anesthesia used to provide pain relief during labor and delivery. You may still feel your contractions happening (though you may not feel the pain of them much or at all), and you should still be able to push when the time comes.

Does an epidural stop all pain?

An epidural is a way to deliver an anesthetic so that it stops pain signals traveling from the spine to the brain. If it works properly, you will no longer feel pain in the lower part of your body. But with a low dose you are still able to move your legs, or even get up and walk around with a bit of help.

Can a epidural paralyze you?

Can I become paralyzed from an epidural? Labor epidurals are placed below the termination of the spinal cord, therefore, there is no risk of spinal cord puncture. Hence, paralysis from a labor epidural is exceptionally rare.

How long after getting epidural does baby come?

Women who previously had a child, who usually have shorter labors to begin with, took about an hour and 20 minutes to complete the second stage of labor without anesthesia at the 95th percentile. That compared to four hours and 15 minutes with an epidural.

How long does an epidural take?

The tube is taped to your back so you can move from side to side. Three to five minutes after the initial dose, the nerves of the uterus begin to numb. Usually after about 10 minutes, you'll feel the full effect, though it can take longer (around 15 or 20 minutes) for some women.

How bad does an epidural hurt?

1. It's less painful than it looks. Getting an epidural hurts about as much as getting an IV. That is to say, your wife will feel a sting or discomfort for a few seconds after the needle is inserted before it diminishes; the actual numbing kicks in after about 20 minutes.

Do doctors recommend epidural?

Why might your doctor recommend an epidural? This is usually a personal decision, but an epidural might be recommended in certain situations, such as when: Your labor pain is so intense that you feel exhausted or out of control. An epidural can help you rest and get focused.

What are the risks of getting epidural?

Epidurals are usually safe, but there's a small risk of side effects and complications, including:

low blood pressure, which can make you feel lightheaded or nauseous.
temporary loss of bladder control.
itchy skin.
feeling sick.
headaches.
nerve damage.

How long does epidural back pain last?

Epidural corticosteroid shots (injections) may give you short-term relief from back pain that runs down your leg. On average, pain relief from the shots lasts about 3 months. But that may be enough time for your back to heal so your pain doesn't come back.

How much is an epidural?

If you want an epidural (which, let's be real, many women do), that's another $2,132 on average. Prices vary considerably depending on where you live. The average cost of a C-Section nationwide is $3,382, plus $1,646 for an epidural, FAIR Health found. But that's just for your doctors—not the hospital.