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Epidural Analgesia

Epidural analgesia is an effective pain relief in labour and delivery, performed by an anesthetist. Learn more about the side effects and procedure.

During Your Pregnancy

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Published on 4 Apr 2024

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By Thomson Team

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Epidural Analgesia

Epidural analgesia is an effective pain relief in labour and delivery, performed by an anesthetist.

The procedure involves inserting a very thin tube (catheter) through the skin at the back into a space outside the spinal cord. Medication is given through the tube either continuously or intermittently.

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Side effects and associated risks of Epidural Analgesia

Although it is a relatively safe procedure, there are side effects and associated risks such as:

Common side effects

  • Shivering
  • Temporary nausea and vomiting
  • Low blood pressure
  • Skin itchiness
  • Leg numbness or tingling in your back and legs
  • Fever
  • Some degree of pain, more on one side near the time of delivery

Uncommon side effects

  • Severe headache
  • Temporary high sensory block (such as numbness in the chest which may cause difficulty in breathing, numbness in the hands or in the face)

Rare side effects

  • Fetal heart rate changes requiring some interventions, e.g. caesarean section
  • Infection
  • Persistent area of numbness and/or weakness of lower extremities, lasting week or months
  • Bleeding in the spine requiring emergency surgery
  • Rapid absorption of local anesthetic causing seizures
  • Respiratory and/or cardiac arrest (requiring life support systems)

Extremely rare

  • Permanent nerve damage

How is your epidural analgesia given?

  • You need to sign a consent form for epidural analgesia
  • A drip will be set up on your arm
  • The anesthetist or a nurse will position you to sit up or lie down on your side with your knees bent towards your tummy
  • The anesthetist will insert a very fine tube (catheter) through the skin at the back into a space outside the spinal cord
  • It is important that you keep still during the epidural admission
  • After the epidural analgesia is administered, you will be positioned on your side
  • The epidural analgesia will take effect in about 10-20 minutes
  • The tube is removed after the completion of the delivery

For more information on epidural analgesia, please consult your O&G doctor.

For more information, contact us:

Thomson Specialists (Women's Health)

Thomson Women's Clinic

Request an Appointment