Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary An epidural is pain medicine that you get through a very thin tube (catheter) inserted into your back. Your lower body becomes partly or totally numb, depending on how much medicine is used. But you stay awake and alert. Sometimes you can't get an epidural: After delivery with an epidural, you may have: This is usually a personal decision, but an epidural might be recommended in certain situations, such as when: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. When I had my first child, I didn't use pain medicine. For this pregnancy, I asked for an epidural. Having that relief, but still being able to feel enough to push, made all the difference in the world! Carmen, 29 I would like to try comfort measures like massage and focused breathing before I decide to have an epidural. If I need an epidural, that will be okay, too. Theresa, 34 I've talked to my nurse-midwife about the risks and benefits of having an epidural, and it seems like the perfect fit for me. Anne, 37 I didn't really think too much about how I was going to handle labor pain. When I was in the middle of labor, they told me I could have an epidural, and I just said yes. With my next pregnancy, I'm going to learn more about comfort measures, too. Courtney, 22 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have an epidural Reasons not to have an epidural I have a low tolerance for pain. I'm worried that I won't be able to control it without medicine. I have a high tolerance for pain, so I think I can control it without medicine. I think it's fine to use pain medicine during labor. I'm against using medicine during labor. I'm not worried about the risks involved with an epidural. I'm worried about the risks involved with an epidural. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having an epidural NOT having an epidural Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. An epidural is pain medicine that you get through a very thin tube (catheter) inserted into your back. Your lower body becomes partly or totally numb, depending on how much medicine is used. But you stay awake and alert. Sometimes you can't get an epidural: After delivery with an epidural, you may have: This is usually a personal decision, but an epidural might be recommended in certain situations, such as when: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "When I had my first child, I didn't use pain medicine. For this pregnancy, I asked for an epidural. Having that relief, but still being able to feel enough to push, made all the difference in the world!" — Carmen, 29 "I would like to try comfort measures like massage and focused breathing before I decide to have an epidural. If I need an epidural, that will be okay, too." — Theresa, 34 "I've talked to my nurse-midwife about the risks and benefits of having an epidural, and it seems like the perfect fit for me." — Anne, 37 "I didn't really think too much about how I was going to handle labor pain. When I was in the middle of labor, they told me I could have an epidural, and I just said yes. With my next pregnancy, I'm going to learn more about comfort measures, too." — Courtney, 22 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have an epidural Reasons not to have an epidural I have a low tolerance for pain. I'm worried that I won't be able to control it without medicine. I have a high tolerance for pain, so I think I can control it without medicine. I think it's fine to use pain medicine during labor. I'm against using medicine during labor. I'm not worried about the risks involved with an epidural. I'm worried about the risks involved with an epidural. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having an epidural NOT having an epidural 1.
If you decide to have an epidural to control pain, are you doing the wrong thing? 2.
Is an epidural the best type of pain relief for childbirth? 3.
Is an epidural completely safe, with no risks or side effects? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: June 24, 2023 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review BoardPregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is an epidural?
What are the benefits of having an epidural?
What are the risks of having an epidural?
What are the side effects?
What other methods are used to control labor pain?
Why might your doctor recommend an epidural?
Compare your options
Personal stories about epidural use during childbirth
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is an epidural?
What are the benefits of having an epidural?
What are the risks of having an epidural?
What are the side effects?
What other methods are used to control labor pain?
Why might your doctor recommend an epidural?
2. Compare your options
Have an epidural Do not have an epidural What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about epidural use during childbirth
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Have an epidural Have an epidural
Do not have an epidural Do not have an epidural
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Credits
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Citations
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
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Equally important
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Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
You're right. No one can criticize you for wanting to have the best experience possible. If you decide you need pain medicine, you haven't "failed."
You're right. An epidural is considered the most effective and easily adjustable type of pain relief for childbirth.
You're right. Although epidurals are very common, they do have risks and possible side effects.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits
References
Citations