Short answer
Painless delivery usually means an epidural: medicine given through a thin tube in your lower back by an anaesthetist, which numbs labour pain while you stay awake. It is set up in about 10 minutes and works within another 10 to 15, and it can be topped up through labour. You can still have a normal delivery, and it does not cause long-term back pain.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
How an epidural is given
- A drip is placed in your arm for fluids.
- You sit and lean forward, or lie on your side with your knees drawn up.
- The anaesthetist numbs the skin of your lower back with a local anaesthetic.
- A needle is used to place a thin plastic tube (catheter) near the nerves in your back. The needle is removed and only the tube stays.
- Pain-relief medicine is given through the tube and topped up as labour goes on.
What to expect
In most women an epidural gives very good pain relief, though it sometimes needs adjusting. Your legs may feel heavy, depending on the medicine used. It should not make you drowsy or sick.
Because you may not feel contractions, the doctor or nurse will tell you when to push. An epidural can make the pushing stage longer, so forceps or vacuum (ventouse) help is a little more likely.
Possible side effects
- A drop in blood pressure, which is uncommon because of the fluids given through the drip
- Difficulty passing urine, which may need a small tube (catheter) for a while
- Itchy skin
- A headache, in about 1 in 100 women, which can be treated
- A sore back for a day or two
Other ways to ease labour pain
- Moving around, changing position and a warm bath or shower
- Breathing and relaxation techniques, and back massage from your birth partner
- Pain-relief injections, which can make you drowsy and are not given too close to delivery
Ask your doctor which options suit you and plan your pain relief during your check-ups, before labour starts.
At Dhruva Hospitals
Painless labour options are available for normal delivery. Talk to your obstetrician about pain relief during your antenatal visits so your plan is ready in advance.
Common questions
Does an epidural cause back pain later?
No. Your back may be a little sore for a day or two, but epidurals do not cause long-term backache.
Does an epidural increase the chance of a caesarean?
An epidural can lengthen the pushing stage and make forceps or vacuum help more likely. Doctors reduce this by waiting longer for the baby’s head to come down before you push, as long as the baby is well.
Is an epidural safe for the baby?
An epidural acts mainly on the nerves in your back, and your baby’s heart rate is monitored throughout labour. Ask your anaesthetist any questions you have before labour starts.
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This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.