What is an epidural?
Epidurals, spinals and combined epidural / spinals
Reasons for / advantages of an epidural anaesthetic
Why an epidural may not be recommended
How an epidural is Inserted
Post-operative pain relief
Removing the epidural catheter
Things to consider for an epidural
The majority of Caesarean births performed in Australia are done with the use of an epidural anaesthetic. This method is preferred because epidurals tend to be safer for mothers and babies (when compared to a
general anaesthetic). Epidurals also have the advantage of the woman being awake to see her baby being born and the partner being present and involved in the birth. Epidurals can also be used to administer pain relief post operatively (after the Caesarean).
Epidurals were first discovered in the early 1900's, but were not widely used until the 1970's. By the 1980's, most women were given epidurals for a Caesarean as opposed to a general anaesthetic. There is now a growing trend to combine the epidural with a spinal anaesthetic, called a combined spinal / epidural (or CSE). This is similar to an epidural but has slightly different effects and side effects.
You may wish to read more in
spinal for Caesarean.