

Epidural side effects after birth skin#
After the anesthesiologist numbs your skin with a local anesthetic, he or she will insert a needle between the bones of your spine into the epidural space and then leave a tiny tube (catheter) in place while the needle is removed.

Your nurse will help you get in the correct position. You will be asked not to move at all during some parts of the procedure. The anesthesiologist will ask you to sit up or lie on your side, keeping the lower part of your back curved towards him/her. Once placement of the epidural is completed, you will feel only the tape on your back that keeps the tubing in place. After this, you should feel only pressure in your back during the procedure. As the epidural is placed, you will feel a brief sting on the skin. Will it hurt?Ĭompared with the pain of contractions, placement of an epidural results in minimal discomfort. Once the epidural is in place, medicine will go through the tubing continually to maintain pain relief through the rest of your labor and the delivery of your baby. In patients who are obese or have scoliosis, more time might be required to place the epidural. Placing the epidural takes about 10 minutes, with good pain relief starting in another 10-15 minutes. The epidural will not depress your breathing or put your baby to sleep. If you have an epidural anesthetic, your baby will be safe.

You will not get sleepy from this type of anesthesia. The University of North Carolina School of MedicineĪn epidural is an anesthetic technique using a small tube placed in the lower back to deliver local anesthetic or other pain medicines near the nerves that cause pain in labor.
