Your Top 10 Questions About Epidurals4

An epidural is one of the more commonly known pain relief methods used by women across the globe. So whether you plan to have an epidural or not, it’s important to know the where, what and how of this pain relief method, before you head towards the labour ward

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1 WHAT IS AN EPIDURAL?

An epidural is a form of local anaesthetic. An anaesthetist will administer an epidural by injecting a specific area of your spine, called the epidural space. It effectively blocks pain signals from reaching your brain, so you feel little or no pain during labour.

2 CAN I ASK FOR AN EPIDURAL IF IT’S NOT IN MY BIRTH PLAN?

If you think you may need an epidural during labour, it’s best to discuss and confirm this with your gynaecologist or doctor during your check-up appointments, while pregnant. Whether you’re in a public or private health facility, discussing the use of an epidural is important, because they take a long time to set up. Dr Mike Blackburn, a specialist anaesthetist in a private practice in Johannesburg, says, “It takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour to site and set up an epidural correctly, and ensure that it’s operating properly.”

3 HOW LATE CAN I REQUEST ONE?