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Be aware that the following information describes various complications that some readers may find disturbing. You may choose not to read all or parts of this section. |
Many women will have an epidural without any problems. Generally epidurals are relatively safe when performed by an experienced anaesthetist in a delivery suite. As far as reducing the actual sensations of labour pain, an epidural has been acknowledged as the most effective, compared to Pethidine, gas or natural therapies (if the epidural is working properly). It also has the advantage over gas and Pethidine in allowing the woman to remain mentally alert (although some women appreciate the sensation of being somewhat 'out of it').
Epidurals are also capable of producing (or leading to) more short and long term side effects and complications than the other methods of pain relief. They also have more potential to affect the outcome of the way your baby will be born.
The following is a list of some of the possible risks and side effects that an epidural is capable of producing, be they common or rare. This information is not designed to scare you, but to simply provide an awareness of what having an epidural can entail.
Low blood pressure
Shivers and shakes
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Itchiness
Urine retention
Backache
Slowing the labour
Forceps, ventouse and Caesarean
Effects on the baby
Severe headache
Slow breathing
Numbness and weakness
Local anaesthetic in the vein
Infection
A total spinal
Other rare side effects
Low blood pressure
It is normal and expected that the woman's blood pressure will drop slightly lower after being given an epidural anaesthetic, particularly if 'local' types of medications are used. The medications relax and dilate blood vessels, lowering the woman's blood pressure as a consequence.