Labor Epidurals

Labor epidurals are put in to decrease pain during childbirth — do they hurt to get put in, how long do they last, and how well do they work?

About half of the women in labor in the US get an epidural (those who have vaginal deliveries).  The rates can vary a lot.  Less got it when I worked in California, and more women get it at the hospital I work at in Arizona.

I am 100% behind whatever you want — but I want everyone to be educated on epidurals — which is why I have several posts about them, how they work and what to expect.

Labor Epidurals

Ok, so this post is going to share the different posts I have on labor epidurals — so that you’re not overwhelmed (and so that your device doesn’t blow-up, because it’s a LOT of info), and you get just the information you want to read about.  All of the posts are by me, about epidurals:

I also have a podcast that answers some of the most frequent questions on epidurals:

Does an epidural hurt?

The biggest question I get most often is does an epidural hurt?  << This post goes through exactly what you’re going to feel and experience with the epidural.

How does an epidural get placed?

The nuts and bolts about the epidural is something people wonder a lot about — this post is all about the labor epidural placement procedure.  You’ll just KNOW what to expect when they put it in.  A lot of women find a lot of comfort in there.

How long does an epidural last?

Another question I get really frequently — is how long does an epidural last?  No one wants to go through getting it put in, only to find out it only last an hour.  That post tells all of what to expect on the epidural timeline.

How pain-free will I be with an epidural?

And finally — what I believe is the most important post — does labor still hurt with an epidural?  I think a lot of women expect to be 100% numb, but that’s not so.  That post tells all about it. 🙂

Wondering about pain management in labor in general?  My friend Katie has a post all about labor pain management.

And, finally — the magic question — WHEN do you get it.  I answer that all right here:

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AND if you’re interested in more info on pain management during delivery be sure to check out my Online Prenatal Class for Couples hosted day and night on the internet, with your’s truly.  Hundreds of couples love this class.  It’s:

• Accurate — you’ll get the RIGHT info.  Since I still deliver I really know what I’m talking about
• Engaging — there are videos and questions to help you take it at your own pace and stay involved
• Available — no more having to fight traffic, and find the right classroom.  It’s here just waiting for you.

Epidural FAQ’s

What are labor epidurals?

They are a medication put in your epidural space (found on your back) which is next to your spinal column.  You can learn more about them in my post on epidural placements.

Who gets a labor epidural

Epidurals have become very popular in the United States.  They are given to women in active labor by anesthesiologist.

Will the epidural cause back pain?

You may have back pain after an epidural, but studies show it’s not any more than women who didn’t get an epidural — learn more in my post on if epidurals cause back pain.

When to get a labor epidural

The long answer I give in an email I can send to you….

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The short answer is when your doctor says you can, when an anesthesiologist is available, and your practitioner thinks you’re in active labor.

I have a whole video on when is the best time to get an epidural:

I hope you like this post — feel free to also check out my post to help you know “Am I In Labor” — it has all you need to know about labor just like this page has everything about epidurals.