Ask a Doctor

Bonnie Corley, MD  
1897 Ohio Avenue
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Phone (614) 875-1721

Q:  What is an epidural and what are the risks associated with it?  

A:  An epidural is a form of anesthesia which involves injecting a solution of long-acting narcotics and a local anesthetic similar to Novocain into a space near the spinal cord.  This numbs the nerves of most of the body below the diaphragm, making epidurals a good source of pain relief for both the contractions and the vaginal pain associated with childbirth. 

Epidurals are extremely safe, and the most common complications are headaches and back pain, which are temporary.  Because the most common form of epidural also numbs the muscles of the legs, patients who receive this will not be able to walk until after delivery.  There is an alternative called a walking epidural which allows laboring patients to continue to walk during labor.  However, pain relief is less effective and not all anesthesiologists feel that this is a good option, so it is not offered in all hospitals. 

Epidurals may slow labor somewhat, but probably do not increase a patient's risk of needing a cesarean section.