Epidural Side Effects

by Debbie Kleinheider

Depending on the region, nearly 60% of all delivering moms in the United States are choosing epidurals for pain control in labor. However, as with any medical intervention, there are epidural side effects. Therefor, it is important to know all the facts about epidurals, so an informed and comfortable decision can be made. Even though it is considered the safest form of pain management in current use, there are still risks and side effects to epidural anesthesia.

Labor is scary and the obvious benefits of Epidural medication during labor are the ‘dangling carrot’. Moms like the idea of no pain in a situation that only brings to mind visions of ‘lots and lots of pain’. Stories of some moms sleeping through labor or entertaining family members from their labor bed seem appealing to many moms, especially first-timers.

However, it is not only the right but also the responsibility of that mom to learn all the facts about epidural medication, epidural side effects, and epidural risks. All the pros and cons must be weighed to make the best determination if the risks of epidural anesthesia and the potential epidural side effects are worth it. So what are the epidural side effects?

Epidural Side Effects #1:

Epidural anesthesia is an invasive procedure, meaning it goes through the skin. There is always a possibility of infection. This is why sterile technique is used in placement.j

Epidural Side Effects #2:

Mom must be placed in a position that is less than comfortable for the procedure. She must hold very still, no matter what she feels, even through a contraction. This can be very difficult for some women.

Epidural Side Effects #3:

Occasionally, the epidural injection needle passes through the epidural space into the next space during placement. The result is another form of spinal anesthesia called a spinal block. Although spinal blocks are used quite frequently for cesarean sections due to their rapid onset and shorter length of effect, unintentional blocks carry their own risks.

Epidural Side Effects #4:

Occasionally, after an epidural injection, a mom will have ‘hot spots’. These are areas where the epidural medication does not block nerve sensation to an area of the body and can be as small as your fist or as large as half of the body.

Epidural Side Effects #5:

After receiving an epidural injection, there may be a drop in blood pressure, causing fetal distress. For this reason, Mom and baby will be closely monitored throughout the labor and delivery.

Epidural Side Effects #6:

Mom may also experience a rise in body temperature from the epidural injection medications used. Since it would be unknown if this was caused by the medication or a new infection, moms may need to receive I.V. antibiotics as a precaution.

Epidural Side Effects #7:

After an epidural injection, nausea and vomiting is common. However, many women who do not have epidurals also experience this during labor.

Epidural Side Effects #8:

After an epidural injection, movement is limited and pushing can be quite difficult because of the numbness. Many moms receiving epidural anesthesia will not feel the urge to push in most cases or feel where to push. Nurses and support persons must then tell mom when the contractions are coming. Nurses and doctors must rely more on the machines to asses progress rather than mom’s reaction to the labor.

Epidural Side Effects #9:

After an epidural is placed, a temporary catheter will be needed to keep the bladder empty. Babies have a hard time moving past a full bladder and mom will have no sensation telling her the bladder is full.

Epidural Side Effects #10:

Very rarely, there may be difficulty with breathing after the epidural is placed. Allergic reactions or epidurals placed in a blood vessel may be the cause. This would be considered an emergency situation and an extreme epidural side effect.

Epidural Side Effects #11:

Backache lasting a few days to a few weeks is a common epidural side effect due to bruising and pressure at the injection site. Anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed to relieve this discomfort.

Epidural pain management is a very viable option during labor. Be informed as to the epidural side effects and the other risks associated with receiving an epidural before making the decision. This will help you remain confident that you made the right choice for both you and your baby.

About the Author:

Debbie Kleinheider, Neonatal and Pediatric nurse, Childbirth Educator, labor and postpartum doula, mother of six, and grandmother of 4 (and growing). She writes from her vast experiences and extensive knowledge on the subject of children.