How do epidurals work

Epidurals are very safe; serious complications are extremely rare. However, as with all medications and medical procedures, there are potential side effects:.

A spinal block is sometimes used in combination with an epidural during labor to provide immediate pain relief. A spinal block, like an epidural, involves an injection in the lower back.

While you sit or lie on your side in bed, a small amount of medication is injected into the spinal fluid to numb the lower half of the body. It brings good relief from pain and starts working quickly, but it lasts only an hour or two and is usually given only once during labor. The epidural provides continued pain relief after the spinal block wears off.

Physician anesthesiologists are committed to patient safety and high-quality care, and have the necessary knowledge to understand and treat the entire human body.

Skip to content. How and when is an epidural for labor pain administered? A drip will be placed in your arm so you can be given fluids while you're having the epidural. You'll be asked to sit down and lean forwards, or lie on your side with your knees up close your chest. You'll be given an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the skin where the epidural will be inserted.

A needle is used to insert a fine plastic tube called an epidural catheter into your back spine near the nerves that carry pain messages to your brain.

The needle is then removed, leaving just the catheter in your spine. You may feel mild discomfort when the epidural needle is positioned and the catheter is inserted. This can be for several hours during childbirth or for a few days after major surgery. Recovering from an epidural When the epidural is stopped, the numbness usually lasts for a few hours before its effects begin to wear off. This can take a couple of hours, and you may feel a slight tingling sensation in your skin.

Epidural anesthesia is often used during labor and delivery, and surgery in the pelvis and legs. Epidural and spinal anesthesia are often used when: The procedure or labor is too painful without any pain medicine. The procedure is in the belly, legs, or feet.

Your body can remain in a comfortable position during your procedure. You want fewer systemic medicines and less "hangover" than you would have from general anesthesia. Ask your doctor about these possible complications: Allergic reaction to the anesthesia used Bleeding around the spinal column hematoma Difficulty urinating Drop in blood pressure Infection in your spine meningitis or abscess Nerve damage Seizures this is rare Severe headache.

Before the Procedure. Tell your health care provider: If you are or could be pregnant What medicines you are taking, including medicines, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription During the days before the procedure: Tell your doctor about any allergies or health conditions you have, what medicines you are taking, and what anesthesia or sedation you have had before.

If your procedure is planned, you may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , warfarin Coumadin , and any other blood thinners.

Ask your doctor which medicines you should still take on the day of your procedure. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to and from the hospital or clinic. If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your provider for help quitting. On the day of the procedure: Follow instructions on when to stop eating and drinking. Do not drink alcohol the night before and the day of your procedure. Take the medicines your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water. Follow instructions on when to arrive at the hospital.

Research related to tattoos and epidurals is limited and reports of problems between the two are rare. If, however, you got a tattoo during pregnancy and the skin is still red and inflamed tattooed skin takes at least two weeks to heal , you may not be able to get an epidural if the art covers your entire lower back.

In that case, poking an epidural needle through the skin can boost the chances of an infection, and your anesthesiologist won't want to take that risk. If you're still unsure about how the anesthesiologist will react to your body art, consult with your practitioner or the hospital before you go into labor so you know whether it will raise any issues. Scoliosis usually does not interfere with an epidural, though it may make it a little more difficult to place the needle, especially if you have a corrective rod low in your spine.

Let your doctor know about your scoliosis ahead of time and share recent X-rays, if you have them. Still, an experienced anesthesiologist should have no problem inserting the epidural needle where it needs to go. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Epidural for Labor Pain.

Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. There are a lot of reasons this pain-management procedure is used by two-thirds of laboring moms. Back to Top.