Barb's Daily Dose

Epidurals & Back Pain

I recently received a questions about whether women with back pain can have epidurals.

Just like Gold-i-locks and the 3 bears, the key with epidurals are these: 

• It shouldn't be given too early because it might slow things down
• Not used too late because the baby will be born shortly.   

Epidurals are Just Right, when used with a mom in active labor.  This means that she has regular, strong contractions and her cervix is dilated to at least 2-3 centimeters.

They are safe

Thankfully epidurals are safe and don't cause back trouble or other complications. Whew! When you find out how anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists provide pain relief to moms in labor using epidurals, it can seem scary, yet these are considered a very safe way for moms to manage the pain of contractions. 

Most moms feel a little pain at the time of insertion, and may notice it a for few days after delivery.  

Back Pain

For women with a history of back pain, scoliosis or injury, it's a good idea to talk to the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist before your due date.  Call the number for labor and delivery and ask to speak to the person on call and share your concerns. Then when you arrive at the hospital, ask to talk to the person who will be providing your care to discuss your circumstances.

Epidurals are safer than we thought

"If it wasn't for my epidural, when I was out of my mind in agony and pain during labor, I would have shot myself," said a mom in my mom's group. We all laughed, because it's a true sentiment.

When you're in labor, the last thing you want to worry about is whether the pain relief that's offered is dangerous.  Well, now we have more reassurance. A recent study from England found that epidurals given in labor are about 10 times safer than we previously thought.  The risk was estimated to be about 1 in 23,000 women will have a serious complication.