When is epidural administered during labor

Once in place, the epidural needle is replaced with a small catheter tube that can administer more medication as needed. Many women fear epidurals will make them drowsy or foggy during delivery, but mothers-to-be are fully awake and aware during the labor.

However, there are some side effects that mothers may experience:. Typically, you can receive an epidural as early as when you are 4 to 5 centimeters dilated and in active labor.

Normally, it takes about 15 minutes to place the epidural catheter and for the pain to start subsiding and another 20 minutes to go into full effect. There are a lot of stories about women being too far along to get an epidural, but this is a myth.

You can get an epidural any time you want. The local numbing agent alleviates most of the pain you may feel during the epidural. Most women feel pressure and a stinging sensation as the epidural medication is injected through the needle. It may be recommended if your baby needs to be born before labour is due to start naturally. Learn more about labour complications. An assisted delivery, sometimes called an 'instrumental delivery', is when your doctor will help in the birthing process.

A retained placenta is when part or all of the placenta is not delivered after the baby is born. It can lead to serious infection or blood loss. Choosing your own positions for labour and giving birth can help you feel in control, reduce pain and open your pelvis to help the baby come out. Find out more. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

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Please check and try again Agree to Terms required. Labour pain: correlations with menstrual pain and acute low-back pain before and during pregnancy. Melzack R, Schaffelberg D. Low-back pain during labor.

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Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Childbirth: Epidurals. Top of the page. Topic Overview Epidural anesthesia is an effective form of childbirth pain relief. How an epidural is given Epidural anesthesia involves the insertion of a sterile guide needle and a small tube epidural catheter into the space around your spinal cord epidural space.

Side effects The most common side effect from epidural anesthesia is lowering of the mother's blood pressure.