Expert answer

By HilaryPereira

An epidural is a method of pain relief that involves inserting a catheter (a fine plastic tube) into a space between the vertebrae in your spine, then administering anaesthetic via the catheter. If it is effective, the epidural will numb you from the abdomen downwards, eliminating the pain of labour. In many cases, you may be given a mobile epidural, which numbs your whole pelvic area, but still allows you to walk around. Epidurals may be used in a number of circumstances, including when labour is prolonged or very painful; when a you are getting tired and need some respite from contractions; if your birth is complicated or may require intervention such as forceps or ventouse or an emergency Caesarean; when a Caesarean has been pre-planned (elective); if labour is induced or when a mother has pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure at the time of delivery. An epidural will usually be administered once labour is already established, so you will already be experiencing the pain of contractions. Because of this, many women report being relatively unaware of the epidural being administered, but remembering more clearly the relief of becoming pain-free. Although the procedure takes around 20 minutes to half an hour (depending on the skill and experience of the anaesthetist as well as your own ability to cooperate), and you have to keep very still whilst the catheter is actually inserted, a local anaesthetic is administered first, so the experience should be no worse than slightly uncomfortable. Epidural anaesthesia usually takes around 10-20 minutes to become effective and lasts for around an hour in between top-ups. There is no pain associated with top-ups as, once the epidural is in place, the anaesthetic is fed directly into the catheter using a syringe. Click here to see our feature on epidurals