The technique of painless delivery called as Epidural Anesthesia or analgesia is a popular technique for relief of labour pains.

A small injection is placed in your lower back through which a fine catheter is passed. Drugs can be injected through this catheter to relieve the pain of labour. These drugs are very safe for the body. All women in labour who need pain relief can have an epidural except those on blood thinning drugs.

Advantages :

1. It makes mother and bay comfortable.
2. It brings down high BP & is good for patients who have heart diseases.
3. Delivery is faster.

Painless delivery has to be constantly monitored by experienced & trained anaesthetist along with the obstetrician.

Myth :

1. Does epidural increase the incidence of caesarean section rate ?

Various studies have shown that epidural per se does not lead to increased incidence of caesarean sections.

• Conclusion :

Despite the fact that Labour results in severe pain for most women, societal pressure make some mothers feel guilty & inadequate when they “break down” & request analgesia. I would advise a woman to become educated about available options from reliable source i.e., your treating doctor. I would assure her that the vast majority of women request pain relief in labour & that epidurals, which are generally very safe, are the most effective analgesic method currently available. The current studies provide further reassurance that labour should not be adversely affected by an epidural.