Mothering is the most beautiful phase of a woman's life. It's a roller-coaster ride filled with many new experiences and moments of happiness and pain. We all know that women experience intense pain during labour while trying for normal vaginal delivery. Because of the fear of this pain, many expectant mothers start requesting their Obstetrician for an elective caesarean section without a trial for a normal delivery. But with the advancement in medical science nowadays, women can deliver vaginally safely without experiencing this pain, and we call it painless labour. A large number of women prefer this procedure after understanding its benefits.
It's a type of anaesthesia that is used to relieve labour pains. In this, a needle is inserted in the lower back with a tiny tube- a catheter. The needle is removed, and the catheter is left in the epidural space of the spinal cord, through which medication is given to block the sensation of labour pain. Epidural anaesthesia is given by an anaesthetist. It is usually given once the latent phase of labour is over and you are in active labour.
Epidural energy is given when you are in active labour, which means when you have good contractions, and your cervix is 3-4 cm dilated. It blocks the pain sensation, not the contractions, by blocking the nerves carrying pain fibres from the uterus to the brain. But it doesn't block motor sensation, which means that you can move and walk during labour even after epidural anaesthesia.
Before the procedure, IV fluids are given through drips. Then, you are asked to sit with a forward bend. Your back is cleaned with some antiseptic spray or liquid. Then, local anaesthetic is injected into the skin of the lower back. Then, a needle is inserted between the bones of the spine in the space surrounding your spinal cord. Then, the needle is removed, and an overlying plastic tube—like a catheter—is left in situ, through which medicine is given for epidural anaesthesia. Usually, pain is relieved within 5 to 30 minutes.
All women who are in labour and trying for normal vaginal delivery can have epidural anaesthesia. It's not mandatory, but it makes your journey through labour comfortable, and you can enjoy your beautiful moments.
Every woman has a different tolerance to pain. Depending upon your tolerance, you can choose to have painless labour. Epidural is one of the best methods for painless labour. Other options include -
The cost for an epidural ranges between 5,000 to 10,000 INR, depending upon the hospital.
Yes, painless normal vaginal delivery is possible with epidural anaesthesia. The procedure blocks pain sensation by blocking nerves carrying pain fibres from the uterus to the brain, but doesn't block contractions or motor sensation. Women can move, walk, and push during labour, experiencing relief within 5-30 minutes after administration.
Yes, labour without pain is possible through epidural anaesthesia, which relieves pain within 5-30 minutes and provides continuous pain relief until the baby's delivery. Other options include Entonox inhalation, opioid injections, and non-pharmacologic methods like hydrotherapy, hypnosis, and acupuncture, though an epidural is most effective with 90%+ pain relief.
Request epidural anaesthesia when you're in active labour with good contractions and 3-4 cm cervical dilation. An anaesthetist inserts a catheter in the epidural space between the lower back spine bones, delivering medication that blocks pain sensation. Pain relief occurs within 5-30 minutes, allowing comfortable delivery without interfering with movements.
Epidural anaesthesia during vaginal delivery is the least painful, providing 90%+ pain relief. Alternatives include spinal anaesthesia (short duration), Entonox gas inhalation (mild pain relief), opioid injections (temporary relief), and non-pharmacological methods like massages, warm baths, breathing techniques, though these provide less effective pain management than an epidural.
