Learn about epidural pain relief for labour and delivery, including:
This information can help you decide if an epidural is right for you. If you have questions or need more information, please speak with your anesthesiologist.
An epidural is a way to lessen pain during labour. It is the most common and helpful pain relief for labour.
When you get an epidural:
You will have a pump to control your medicine. It lets you give yourself more medicine if you need it. We can also change the amount of medicine to give you more or less pain relief.
| Type of Risk | Frequency | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Does not reach full effectiveness | Common | 1 in 8 |
| Not strong enough for a Cesarean section (requiring general anesthesia) | Sometimes | 1 in 20 |
| Significant drop in blood pressure | Occasional | 1 in 50 |
| Severe headache | Uncommon | 1 in 100 |
| Temporary mild nerve damage (less than 6 months) | Rare | 1 in 1,000 |
| Permanent mild nerve damage (greater than 6 months) | Rare | 1 in 13,000 |
| Epidural abscess | Very rare | 1 in 50,000 |
| Meningitis | Very rare | 1 in 100,000 |
| Brief loss of consciousness | Very rare | 1 in 100,000 |
| Epidural hematoma (blood clot) | Very rare | 1 in 170,000 |
| Serious injury, including paralysis | Extremely rare | 1 in 250,000 |
You may want to try this helpful positioning for your epidural:
Most people can safely have an epidural. Some people may not be able to have one because of bleeding problems, infection, nerve or spine problems, or past surgery. In these cases, opioid pain medicines can be used. These may not work as well and can affect your baby at birth.
Other pain relief options include support without medicine, such as breathing, movement, position changes, and coaching.
If you need a Caesarean section (C-section):
If you do not have an epidural, or if it is not working well, you may get:
Most people find that an epidural:
Some studies suggest epidurals may slow the second stage of labour by 20 to 30 minutes, while others found no difference.
Yes! An epidural can help you rest while your cervix opens. When it is time to push, you should still have enough energy. The epidural should not affect your ability to push unless you are very numb. This can happen if you get a lot of extra doses.
You will have much less pain, but you may still feel pressure during contractions and exams. You will be awake, alert, and aware of what is happening. Some people notice tingling or numbness in their legs or feet.
No. An epidural does not increase your chance of needing a C-section. It also does not cause long-term back pain. Some people may have a sore spot in their back for a short time after the epidural. Back pain is common during and after pregnancy.