An epidural is a way to give anesthetic. This is a medicine that blocks pain. For an epidural, the anesthetic is injected into the lower spine. It can be used to ease the pain of labor and delivery. This is done by an anesthesiologist. Or it may be done by a nurse anesthetist.
The spinal cord is the main path for pain signals. These signals travel from nerves through the spinal cord to your brain. The brain registers them as pain. The epidural blocks the signals in the nerves in your lower spine.
Anesthetic is injected through the skin of your back into the part of the spinal canal called the epidural space. This blocks nerves below the place where it's injected. It can reduce pain or block most feeling. You will be awake. You will still have feeling in your upper body.
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You may be asked to lie on your side. Or you may sit on the edge of your bed and lean over.
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Your healthcare provider numbs a small part of your lower spine with a local anesthetic.
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Your provider then puts a needle into the epidural space. A thin tube (catheter) is threaded over the needle. The needle is removed.
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The anesthetic then goes through the catheter. In some cases, a small pump is attached to the catheter. This gives you a constant dose of anesthetic as long as you need it.
Follow your healthcare provider's care instructions after the procedure. Call them right away if you have any of these: