Epidurals & spinals

Many parents are confused about (or are not aware of) the differences between an epidural and a spinal anaesthetic. To understand why either method may be preferred for used for the Caesarean (or why you might have a combined epidural / spinal or CSE), it is important to understand how they differ. You may also wish to play a role in deciding about the type of anaesthetic you would prefer.

Epidurals and spinals are both forms of 'regional anaesthesia'. That is, they both aim to prevent pain sensations from being felt in the lower 'region' of the body. This means they prevent pain sensations from being perceived by the woman during a Caesarean operation. Both require that a long, hollow needle be placed between two of the backbones in the woman's lower spine and both entail the use of either local types of anaesthetics and / or narcotic drugs. After this they start to differ.

The differences are:

	The actual place in the body that the anaesthetic medication is injected into,
	The amount and strength of medication(s) needed to obtain an adequate level of anaesthesia, and
	If a fine, plastic catheter is left in place to give further medications once the needle is removed (or to enable a continuous infusion of pain relieving medications to be given after the birth).

These factors affect:

	How long it takes for the medications to work,
	The possible side effects the procedure can have,
	How long it takes before the medication wears off, and
	If more medication can be given after the first dose wears off.

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