Pain relief techniques such as epidurals are often utilised to make the process of labour more tolerable. We now use low concentration solutions which allow the women to have some sensation of the contractions, which helps with being able to push effectively.
Prior to placement of the epidural, we will answer any questions and place an intravenous cannula. We appreciate that often this is during a painful time and will work around the mother’s ability to communicate with us.
Issues/risks of epidurals include
- discomfort during the placement
- patchy or inadequate block
- headache (1:100)
- back ache
- very rarely nerve damage (approximately 1:50,000)