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How is regional anesthesia given?
Your anesthesiologist will inject medications near the nerves in your lower back to
block the discomfort of contractions. The medication will be injected while you are
either sitting up or lying on your side.
After reviewing your medical history and asking you some questions, your anesthesiologist
will numb an area on your lower back with a local anesthetic. A special needle is inserted
into this numb area to find the exact location to inject the anesthetic medication. After
injecting the medication, your anesthesiologist removes the needle. In most cases, a tiny
plastic tube called an epidural catheter stays in place after the needle is removed to
deliver medications as needed throughout labor.
When is regional anesthesia given?
The best time to administer regional anesthesia varies depending on you and your baby’s
response to labor. If you request regional anesthesia, your health care provider will contact
your anesthesiologist and together they will discuss with you the risks, benefits and timing
of regional anesthesia.
If you request regional anesthesia, you may receive epidural or spinal anesthesia, or a
combination of the two. Your health care provider will select the type of regional anesthesia
based on your general health and the progress of your labor.
Will a regional block affect my baby?
Considerable research has shown that regional anesthesia is safe for you and your baby. While
your baby receives a small amount of any medication that you receive, regional anesthesia
techniques minimize the amount of medication you and your baby receive.
How soon does regional anesthesia take effect and how long does it last?
Epidural anesthesia starts working 10 to 20 minutes after the medication has been injected.
Pain relief from epidural anesthesia lasts as long as your labor, since more medication can
always be given through the catheter.
Spinal anesthesia starts working immediately after the medication has been injected. Pain
relief lasts about two and one-half hours. If your labor is expected to last beyond this
time, an epidural catheter will be inserted to deliver medications to continue your pain
relief as long as needed.
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