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Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
1Get the | 2Compare | 3Your | 4Your | 5Quiz | 6Your Summary |
Get the facts
Your options
- Have an epidural to control pain during childbirth.
- Don't have an epidural. Instead, use other methods to control the pain.
Key points to remember
- An epidural is medicine that numbs your lower body so that childbirth doesn't hurt as much. The dose can be changed to make you partly numb or completely numb, depending on how much pain you're feeling.
- For most women, this is a personal decision that depends on two things: how worried you are about having pain and how important natural childbirth (labor without pain medicine) is to you.
- An epidural is considered the most effective and easily adjustable type of pain relief for childbirth.
- Epidurals are very common. But there are some risks and possible side effects you should know about.
- Labor pain is unpredictable. You may have more pain than you expected. You may plan to have natural childbirth and then decide you need pain medicine.
What is an epidural?
An epidural is pain medicine that you get through a very thin tube (catheter) inserted into your back. Your lower body becomes partly or totally numb, depending on how much medicine is used. But you stay awake and alert.
Sometimes you can't get an epidural:
- Your labor may happen so fast that there isn't time for an epidural.
- You may be in a smaller hospital that doesn't offer them. If you think you may want an epidural, find out ahead of time if they are offered at the hospital or birthing center where you're planning to go.
- You may have a health problem that means you can't have an epidural.
What are the benefits of having an epidural?
- Epidurals are considered the most effective and easily adjustable type of pain relief for childbirth.
- After an epidural is started, you can quickly get pain relief if and when you need it during labor and delivery.
- The medicine in an epidural doesn't make you sleepy, so you are awake and alert for the delivery.
- If you were to end up needing a C-section, the epidural could quickly numb the area below your waist for the surgery.
What are the risks of having an epidural?
- Drop in blood pressure. This can lower your baby's heart rate. To help prevent this, you receive fluids through an I.V. beforehand and are encouraged to lie on your side, which improves blood flow to the baby.
- Being unable to feel your contractions and to push. This may increase your risk of needing an assisted delivery (forceps or vacuum).footnote 2
- Seizure. This is very rare.
What are the side effects?
After delivery with an epidural, you may have:
- Back soreness at the catheter site. This isn't common. Some women fear that an epidural causes long-term back pain. But studies have not shown a connection between new back pain and epidural use.footnote 2
- A severe, prolonged headache. This can happen when the spinal cord sheath has accidentally been punctured during the epidural. This isn't common. After the puncture is fixed with a different medicine, the headache usually goes away.footnote 1
What other methods are used to control labor pain?
-
Pain medicines. You can get a shot of pain medicine or get it through an I.V. The most common medicines used are opioids, also known as narcotics. These medicines:
- Help you relax between contractions.
- Decrease the pain (but they don't take it away completely).
- Have side effects, including drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.
-
Comfort measures. There are also several ways to control pain without using medicine. They include:
- Distraction. Walk, play cards, watch TV, take a shower, or read to help take your mind off your contractions.
- Massage. Massage of the shoulders and low back during contractions may ease your pain.
- Imagery. For instance, think of contractions as waves rolling over you. Picture a peaceful place, such as a beach or mountain stream, to help you relax between contractions.
- Focused breathing. Breathing in a rhythm can distract you from pain. Childbirth education classes teach you different methods of focused breathing.
- Nitrous oxide. You give yourself nitrous oxide (a gas) through a mask when you need pain relief. Nitrous oxide is not available in many places.
Why might your doctor recommend an epidural?
This is usually a personal decision, but an epidural might be recommended in certain situations, such as when:
- Your labor pain is so intense that you feel exhausted or out of control. An epidural can help you rest and get focused.
- You have a higher than average chance of needing a C-section. If you do need surgery, the epidural would already be in place and you could be quickly numbed.
Compare your options
Compare
What is usually involved? |
| |
|---|---|---|
What are the benefits? |
| |
What are the risks and side effects? |
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- A large needle is used to place a small tube, called a catheter, in your lower back. The needle is removed, and the catheter is taped to your skin.
- The medicine leaves you partly or completely numb below the waist, depending on how much is used.
- You may have to stay in bed and have your bladder emptied with a urinary catheter.
- An epidural works very well to relieve pain.
- The medicine doesn't go into your bloodstream, so you remain awake and alert throughout labor and delivery.
- The risks of an epidural include:
- A drop in blood pressure.
- Having the baby move into the wrong position.
- The possible side effects include:
- A sore back.
- A severe headache.
- You use other ways to control pain, such as pain medicines or comfort methods like breathing techniques, massage, and distraction.
- You avoid the risks and side effects of an epidural.
- Without pain medicine, you have a natural childbirth.
- Labor may be more painful.
- Too much pain can tire you out so much that you may need other methods to help you deliver.
Personal stories about epidural use during childbirth
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
When I had my first child, I didn't use pain medicine. For this pregnancy, I asked for an epidural. Having that relief, but still being able to feel enough to push, made all the difference in the world!
Carmen, 29
I would like to try comfort measures like massage and focused breathing before I decide to have an epidural. If I need an epidural, that will be okay, too.
Theresa, 34
I've talked to my nurse-midwife about the risks and benefits of having an epidural, and it seems like the perfect fit for me.
Anne, 37
I didn't really think too much about how I was going to handle labor pain. When I was in the middle of labor, they told me I could have an epidural, and I just said yes. With my next pregnancy, I'm going to learn more about comfort measures, too.
Courtney, 22
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have an epidural
Reasons not to have an epidural
I have a low tolerance for pain. I'm worried that I won't be able to control it without medicine.
I have a high tolerance for pain, so I think I can control it without medicine.
I think it's fine to use pain medicine during labor.
I'm against using medicine during labor.
I'm not worried about the risks involved with an epidural.
I'm worried about the risks involved with an epidural.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having an epidural
NOT having an epidural
What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Your Summary
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
| Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Clinical Review Board | Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2019). Obstetric analgesia and anesthesia. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 209. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 133(3): e208–e225. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003132. Accessed May 2, 2020.
- Anim-Somuah M, et al. (2018). Epidural versus non-epidural or no analgesia in labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5). DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000331.pub4. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
- Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
- Have an epidural to control pain during childbirth.
- Don't have an epidural. Instead, use other methods to control the pain.
Key points to remember
- An epidural is medicine that numbs your lower body so that childbirth doesn't hurt as much. The dose can be changed to make you partly numb or completely numb, depending on how much pain you're feeling.
- For most women, this is a personal decision that depends on two things: how worried you are about having pain and how important natural childbirth (labor without pain medicine) is to you.
- An epidural is considered the most effective and easily adjustable type of pain relief for childbirth.
- Epidurals are very common. But there are some risks and possible side effects you should know about.
- Labor pain is unpredictable. You may have more pain than you expected. You may plan to have natural childbirth and then decide you need pain medicine.
What is an epidural?
An epidural is pain medicine that you get through a very thin tube (catheter) inserted into your back. Your lower body becomes partly or totally numb, depending on how much medicine is used. But you stay awake and alert.
Sometimes you can't get an epidural:
- Your labor may happen so fast that there isn't time for an epidural.
- You may be in a smaller hospital that doesn't offer them. If you think you may want an epidural, find out ahead of time if they are offered at the hospital or birthing center where you're planning to go.
- You may have a health problem that means you can't have an epidural.
What are the benefits of having an epidural?
- Epidurals are considered the most effective and easily adjustable type of pain relief for childbirth.
- After an epidural is started, you can quickly get pain relief if and when you need it during labor and delivery.
- The medicine in an epidural doesn't make you sleepy, so you are awake and alert for the delivery.
- If you were to end up needing a C-section, the epidural could quickly numb the area below your waist for the surgery.
What are the risks of having an epidural?
- Drop in blood pressure. This can lower your baby's heart rate. To help prevent this, you receive fluids through an I.V. beforehand and are encouraged to lie on your side, which improves blood flow to the baby.
- Being unable to feel your contractions and to push. This may increase your risk of needing an assisted delivery (forceps or vacuum).2
- Seizure. This is very rare.
What are the side effects?
After delivery with an epidural, you may have:
- Back soreness at the catheter site. This isn't common. Some women fear that an epidural causes long-term back pain. But studies have not shown a connection between new back pain and epidural use.2
- A severe, prolonged headache. This can happen when the spinal cord sheath has accidentally been punctured during the epidural. This isn't common. After the puncture is fixed with a different medicine, the headache usually goes away.1
What other methods are used to control labor pain?
-
Pain medicines. You can get a shot of pain medicine or get it through an I.V. The most common medicines used are opioids, also known as narcotics. These medicines:
- Help you relax between contractions.
- Decrease the pain (but they don't take it away completely).
- Have side effects, including drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting.
-
Comfort measures. There are also several ways to control pain without using medicine. They include:
- Distraction. Walk, play cards, watch TV, take a shower, or read to help take your mind off your contractions.
- Massage. Massage of the shoulders and low back during contractions may ease your pain.
- Imagery. For instance, think of contractions as waves rolling over you. Picture a peaceful place, such as a beach or mountain stream, to help you relax between contractions.
- Focused breathing. Breathing in a rhythm can distract you from pain. Childbirth education classes teach you different methods of focused breathing.
- Nitrous oxide. You give yourself nitrous oxide (a gas) through a mask when you need pain relief. Nitrous oxide is not available in many places.
Why might your doctor recommend an epidural?
This is usually a personal decision, but an epidural might be recommended in certain situations, such as when:
- Your labor pain is so intense that you feel exhausted or out of control. An epidural can help you rest and get focused.
- You have a higher than average chance of needing a C-section. If you do need surgery, the epidural would already be in place and you could be quickly numbed.
2. Compare your options
| Have an epidural | Do not have an epidural | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
Personal stories
Personal stories about epidural use during childbirth
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"When I had my first child, I didn't use pain medicine. For this pregnancy, I asked for an epidural. Having that relief, but still being able to feel enough to push, made all the difference in the world!"
— Carmen, 29
"I would like to try comfort measures like massage and focused breathing before I decide to have an epidural. If I need an epidural, that will be okay, too."
— Theresa, 34
"I've talked to my nurse-midwife about the risks and benefits of having an epidural, and it seems like the perfect fit for me."
— Anne, 37
"I didn't really think too much about how I was going to handle labor pain. When I was in the middle of labor, they told me I could have an epidural, and I just said yes. With my next pregnancy, I'm going to learn more about comfort measures, too."
— Courtney, 22
3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have an epidural
Reasons not to have an epidural
I have a low tolerance for pain. I'm worried that I won't be able to control it without medicine.
I have a high tolerance for pain, so I think I can control it without medicine.
I think it's fine to use pain medicine during labor.
I'm against using medicine during labor.
I'm not worried about the risks involved with an epidural.
I'm worried about the risks involved with an epidural.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having an epidural
NOT having an epidural
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1. If you decide to have an epidural to control pain, are you doing the wrong thing?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
2. Is an epidural the best type of pain relief for childbirth?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
3. Is an epidural completely safe, with no risks or side effects?
- Yes
- No
- I'm not sure
Decide what's next
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
- I'm ready to take action.
- I want to discuss the options with others.
- I want to learn more about my options.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Clinical Review Board | Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2019). Obstetric analgesia and anesthesia. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 209. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 133(3): e208–e225. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003132. Accessed May 2, 2020.
- Anim-Somuah M, et al. (2018). Epidural versus non-epidural or no analgesia in labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5). DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000331.pub4. Accessed May 7, 2020.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
Current as of: June 24, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
