An epidural is a common procedure to provide pain relief or a lack of feeling for labour and childbirth, certain surgeries and certain causes of chronic pain.
“It is a type of regional anesthesia commonly used in childbirth and certain surgical procedures. They involve the injection of medication into the epidural space, which is the area surrounding the spinal cord in the spine’s outermost membrane called the dura. During childbirth, an epidural can help relieve pain by numbing the nerves that transmit sensations from the lower body to the brain,” said Dr Ritu Sethi, Director, Aura Speciality Clinic, Gurgaon, and Senior Consultant- Cloud Nine Hospital, Gurgaon.
Epidurals are one of the most effective, safest and widely used forms of pain management for women in labour, yet there are misconceptions about it. Talking about the same, Dr Amina Khalid, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist took to Instagram and shared, “There are a lot of myths that have been circulating as regards to epidural and my aim here is to clear them up for you- so that these misconceptions are not the reason you opt out of it!”
Take a look.
Myth #1 Epidural can cause permanent or long-lasting back pain
Fact: Getting an epidural can cause slight discomfort at the area where it was inserted for a few days but never lasts long or cause long term back pain.
Those who had persistent back pain postpartum was mainly due to the wrong strenous postures while breastfeeding and taking care of the baby.
Concurring, Dr Sethi said, “While epidurals are generally considered safe, there have been cases where individuals have reported persistent back pain following the procedure. However, it’s important to note that the link between epidurals and long-lasting back pain is not well-established or definitive. The occurrence of long-lasting back pain after an epidural is relatively rare. Some studies have suggested a potential association, but the exact cause is unclear. It is difficult to determine whether the back pain is a direct result of the epidural itself or if other factors are involved.”
Myth #2 Epidural medications can cause significant harm to the baby
Fact: There is no evidence or studies to support this claim.
There are a number of painkillers that can be used in labour besides the epidural. And all these do have a potential to reach the baby, but you can be rest assured that these quantities are very less. Infact, epidural does not even have a stronger effect as compared to the other painkillers, so you need not worry.
Similarly, Dr Sethi said, “Epidural medications used during childbirth are generally considered safe for both the mother and the baby. However, as with any medical intervention, there are potential risks and considerations to be aware of.”
Myth #3 Epidural increases the risks of you ending up having a cesarean section
Fact: A lot of studies and evidence is against this and have found no such correlation. Those that did end up having a C-section after epidural were mostly those who anyways had risk factors for a Cesarean and would have ended up having it even if they didn’t take an epidural, like a big baby or a smaller pelvic outlet.
Agreeing with the same, Dr Sethi said, “The relationship between epidurals and the risk of cesarean section (C-section) is a topic of ongoing research and debate among doctors. While epidurals may be associated with a slightly higher likelihood of C-section, the evidence is not conclusive, and the overall impact varies depending on various factors.”
Myth #4 Taking the epidural means the labour process will slow down and you will take longer to deliver
During childbirth, an epidural can help relieve pain by numbing the nerves that transmit sensations from the lower body to the brain. (Source: Freepik)
Fact: Getting an epidural pain relief has no effect on the dilatation of the cervix. You will take just about the same time to dilate as anyone without epidural. Infact, if anything there has been a study that showed epidural speeded up the dilatation.
If anything that slows down–would probably be the second stage of labour or the pushing stage, because you might not feel the urge as much to push. The good thing though is that the team is there to guide you for an effective pushing.
However, Dr Sethi noted that epidurals can potentially slow down the labor process. “But it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will always result in a longer delivery. The impact of an epidural on labor progress can vary among individuals and depends on various factors.”
Myth #5 Epidural analgesia is for anyone who wishes to opt for it
Fact: Certain health conditions can be a risk factor for epidural like if you have any infection, bleeding disorders, spine deformity/problem, brain/heart problems.
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So, it is always better to have a discussion with your doctor about epidural beforehand if you wish to take it during your labour.
Reasserting the same, Dr Sethi said, “The decision to opt for epidural analgesia depends on various factors. Generally, it may be considered by individuals who seek pain relief, have a low pain threshold, desire a more relaxed experience, have a long or induced labour, have a high-risk pregnancy or medical conditions.”
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