One of the first things people think about when it comes to childbirth is the pain. It’s the big cloud that looms over your baby’s exciting birthday, and there are a lot of misconceptions about what can be done for pain!
Epidurals are one of the most common methods for pain relief. It is a small tube placed into the epidural space of your spine by a nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist. It is generally a very safe procedure, and the anesthesia team should discuss all risks with you before you receive one.
There are other medications and methods that can be used for pain relief, but epidurals are by far the most effective and popular.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about epidurals. I’ve compiled a list of the most common ones I know, and addressed them below.
Please note: This post is not medical advice – it is meant for entertainment purposes. The posts on this website are personal opinions only and do not represent the opinions or policies of any provider or institution that I am affiliated with. Information on this website is not intended to diagnose, or treat any form of any disease. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should always refer to your own medical provider when making medical decisions for yourself and/or your baby. Please refer to my Terms and Conditions for more information
1. The epidural will hurt the baby
This is highly unlikely…any medication mom takes passes through the placenta to the baby, but the amount of medication that enters that mom’s blood stream is extremely small. In fact, compared to other medications used in labor, the epidural has the least effect on babies! The majority of the time, the baby shows no effects from the epidural.
The most common side effect from an epidural is low blood pressure. You will probably receive 1-2 liters of IV fluids before receiving the epidural, and your nurse should be frequently checking your blood pressure. Sometimes this low blood pressure can temporarily decrease blood flow to the baby, which would be evident by changes in the baby’s heart rate pattern. The anesthesia team can give you a medication to increase your blood pressure if it becomes too low, and then the blood flow to the baby should return to normal. This is *usually* a very temporary issue that is easily corrected.
2. It gets rid of all sensation
This is not true for almost everyone. Once the epidural is placed, you will gradually feel contracts get shorter and less intense, until you are having them without noticing. It can take 20-30 minutes for total pain relief. Towards the end of labor, most women start to feel a build in pressure. This is the baby’s head pushing on the rectal nerves – it literally feels like you have to poop! When a laboring mom says, “I have to poop REALLY bad” I know the end is near!
Now, this pressure should not be painful. However, it does get VERY intense, especially during pushing! Many people say “my epidural isn’t working!” but most of the time it’s not that the epidural isn’t working, it’s that the pressure is THAT intense.
This pressure helps guide pushing. The pressure will build with contractions, and it’s with that rising pressure that you will push. Additionally, your medical team can help you identify when you are having contractions, and can coach you on pushing.
Occasionally, epidurals only work on one side of the body or have what are called “windows.” Windows are areas on your body that still feel the pain, while the rest of you is numb. You should let your team know if the epidural is not working in one area or on one side – the anesthesia team may be able to fix the epidural.
Interested in learning more about epidurals? I compare my epidural birth and my natural birth here!
3. If you get an epidural too early, it will wear off.
I hear this one often!
When the epidural is placed, a small catheter (tube) is placed into your back. It’s very thin, it reminds me of fishing wire, and is about as thick as pencil lead. It will be taped on your back, and will connect to an infusion pump. Your anesthesia team may give a bolus, or a single, usually larger dose of medication to start the pain relief process. Then the catheter gets hooked to a medication pump where a slow, continuous infusion of medication is given. Typically, this is enough to keep you comfortable until the end of labor, but sometimes moms experience the return of contraction pain and an additional bolus may need to be given.
Many moms identify the feeling of pressure that I talked about above as being the “wearing off” of the epidural. But actually, the epidural is not meant to cover the feelings of pressure and usually does not. You should let your team know if the feelings of pain with contractions return. They may be able to give you a little bit of extra medication through your epidural catheter to ease your discomfort.
4. Epidurals mean you didn’t really experience birth.
This one makes my blood boil! I often hear from the spectators, “SHE DOESN’T NEED AN EPIDURAL! THAT’S THE EASY WAY OUT!”
- That is not helpful.
- That is not true.
- There is no “easy” way out.
Now, if you desire a unmedicated birth, great!! That’s awesome. If you want an epidural, also great! Also awesome! IT. DOES. NOT. MATTER. There is no medal. There is no prize for having or not having an epidural. Any way you give birth is beautiful and amazing. You should be immensely proud regardless of how you have the baby.
5. My labor will stop if I get an epidural.
If you are in active labor when you get an epidural, your labor should not stop. If your labor does slow down or contractions space out, your provider may recommend starting oxytocin to speed up labor. Additionally, frequent position changes within bed, especially with use of a peanut ball, may help get baby into a good position and continue the progression of labor.
Your provider may recommend not getting an epidural too early in labor so that labor doesn’t slow down, but true active labor should not stop because of an epidural.
Read my post here about ways to manage pain in labor WITHOUT medications.
6. I will have to lay on my back the rest of my labor.
Please, do not lay on your back the rest of your labor after you get an epidural!
The first 30 minutes or so after an epidural, it is smart to lay on your back in a reclined position (not flat). This helps the epidural settle evenly. There is a gravity component to the effectiveness of an epidural. If one side is less numb than the other, you can lay on the side you feel more sensation on to help the medication work better there.
If your epidural is nice and even, you should try lying on each side, sitting up, laying reclined, etc. Frequent position changes are GREAT for labor! If your hospital supplies them, ask for a (or get your own) peanut ball. They are a great tool for helping baby move into the pelvis, and your nurse can help you get positioned with one.
Like this post? You may also be interested in After Baby is Born: What to Expect and How to Prepare or Labor like a Pro: how to rock your labor!
7. I can’t get an epidural past ___ centimeters of dilation.
This may be provider specific, but most often you cannot get an epidural if delivery is going to happen before the epidural is working. Basically, if you are progressing quickly and 8cm, the baby may be born before the epidural is effective. It takes about 45 minutes to have the epidural placed and working, so if you are going to deliver within an hour, there really isn’t a point.
If it is your first baby, your team may allow an epidural even if you are 10 cm! First time moms may push for a few hours, and if you want the epidural to help pushing, it may be an option.
The ideal time to get an epidural is around 4-5cm, when the contractions are picking up and getting stronger, but there is still time left in labor. That is not a set in stone number, though, and it should be based off of how you feel. I recommend having two or three strong contractions that you have to breathe through before requesting an epidural. That’s usually a good sign to me that true active labor is starting. Your provider may want to check your cervix before placement of the epidural. Again, remember it does take time to get prepped, have the epidural placed, and have the medication take effect, so if you want an epidural then you may want to request it sooner rather than later.
Have you heard any of these epidural myths? What else have you heard about epidurals?
I hope this helps clear up the misinformation, and provided some insight about epidurals. Leave me a comment below if you have any questions! <3
Please note: The views on this website are personal opinions only and do not represent the opinions or policies of any provider or institution that I am affiliated with. This information is not medical advice. Information on this website is not intended to diagnose, or treat any form of any disease. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should always refer to your own medical provider when making medical decisions for yourself and/or your baby. Please refer to my Terms and Conditions for more information
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This is my first time I have visited your site. I found a lot of interesting stuff in your blog.
Thank you for visiting Lin! I love receiving comments like yours. Have a great day! Xo, Lindsey
Thanks heaps for this!… if anyone else has anything, it would be much appreciated.
You’re very welcome! Glad I could help. Be sure to click around a bit more – there is lots of epidural-related information here! 🙂
Wow, thanks for sharing, I have learned so much here on your site, thought I’d let you know your efforts are appreciated
Thank you! 🙂