Epidural Pain Relief  

One of the most effective forms of pain relief during labour is an Epidural.  An Epidural is a procedure which can provide complete freedom from pain, throughout your labour.  Currently about 1 in 4 women opt to have an Epidural in labour.

 

You may have already decided on whether or not you want to have an Epidural, but once in labour it is not unusual for women to change their mind.  Below you will find information to help you decide if an epidural is the right pain relief for you:

 

 

Epidural is the name given to the Epidural space in the spine, this lies between the vertebrate (backbones), which forms the walls of the spinal canal, the spinal cord, and the nerves, which lie within it.

Local anaesthetic is injected into the space around the spinal cord, using a fine hollow tube (catheter) inserted into your lower back.  This numbs the nerves and the pain of contractions, although you should still be able to feel a touch on your skin.  The Epidural will last for about two to four hours but can be ‘topped up’ through the catheter, usually via a small pump that delivers the anaesthetic at regular intervals.

 

 

Theoretically you can have an Epidural almost at any point in labour, even in the second stage when you are pushing your baby out.  Most people however, choose to have an Epidural when they are 5-6cms dilated and the contractions are getting pretty strong.  If you are 8-9cms dilated your midwife may tell you it is too late for an Epidural, as your baby will be born soon.

 

Anaesthetists start Epidurals, although once they are in place and working, your midwife will take over.  You will be asked to lie on your side or sit up and bend over a pillow.  This opens the spaces in your spine to make the procedure simpler.  Your skin will be made numb with a little local anaesthetic and then a small hollow needle is inserted into your back.  A very fine plastic tube called a catheter is then threaded through the needle and secured into place with tape once the needle has been removed.  The anaesthetic and pain relieving drugs are then administered through the catheter.  It takes about 10-20 minutes for the epidural to become effective