Epidural Analgesia

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.

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.