Epidurals

Choosing an Epidural for Labor and Delivery including Cesarean Section
Choosing a form of pain relief for your labor and delivery is important. The epidural is a popular form of pain relief for labor and for cesarean sections. Is it right for your birth?

9 Reasons Women Want an Epidural
Here are a look at some of the most common reasons why moms choose an epidural for their labor over other methods of pain relief.

7 Reasons You Can't Have an Epidural
An epidural is the most popular form of pain relief for childbirth. But there are reasons that you can't have one - learning those reasons might save you some heart ache in labor.

Epidural Anesthesia
Lots of women will chose to have an epidural in labor. Do you know what that entails and what you're likely to feel or not feel?

Is it ever too late to get an epidural in labor?
Since that Mad About You episode about the "window" of opportunity to get an epidural being closed for Jaime, women have been very nervous that they too will find that there is a window they've missed if they wait too long. Good news - that's generally a myth, here's why...

Can my husband stay with me during the epidural?
When getting an epidural you may wonder who will be with you and if one of those people will be someone you know...

Epidural Anesthesia for Labor and Birth - Medications for Labor
Epidural anesthesia is the most common form of medication used for pain relief in labor. Here is a step by step look at what goes into an epidural and how it will effect mom, baby and labor.

Getting the Most out of an Epidural in Labor
Getting an epidural in labor can be a great form of pain relief. Here is how to get the most out of an epidural in labor.

Birth Videos with Epidurals
Here is a collection of birth videos where the mom's choose to use epidurals during their labor.

How to Support a Woman in Labor with an Epidural
When epidural anesthesia is used there are some special things that you can do to support mom to make her more comfortable in labor.

Getting an Epidural - What is it like getting an epidural?
Many women choose an epidural for their labor. But what is it really like getting an epidural?

Spinal Headache
Spinal headache is one of the risks of spinal or epidural anesthesia.

Turning Off the Epidural for Pushing
One thing many women consider doing to reduce the risks of forceps or vacuum delivery when using an epidural is to have it turned down or off towards the end of labor and pushing. Does it work?

8 Reasons Moms Don’t Get Epidurals
Some moms prefer to avoid epidurals, here are the most commonly given reasons.

After an Epidural
Many discussions take place on preparing for and receiving and epidural. Here is what goes on after your birth with an epidural.

Epidural Insertion
Photos of an epidural insertion for labor and birth. The first page is of smaller photos with fewer details for those who prefer not to see it, with the option for close ups.

Childbirth Classes and the Epidural
So, you're planning on an epidural for labor. Do you still need those childbirth classes? The answer might surprise you.

Epidural Facts
The basics of epidural anesthesia for labor and birth.

Epidural Birth Stories
These are birth stories from women who gave birth using epidural anesthesia. Some planned ahead of time to use the epidural while others didn't. Read the stories in their own words.

Drugs for Birth?
Should you take drugs during your labor or birth?

Does having a lower back tattoo mean no labor epidural?
With more and more women having low back tattoos, does it interfere with an epidural in labor?

Birth Stories: Epidural
Birth stories from women who chose epidurals, from your About.com Guide.

Epidurals: Real Risks for Mom & Baby
Sarah Buckley, MD writes this article in a very through, documented way, without being scary or frightening. Journal articles are cited.

Epidurals
Arguements for and against.

Epidural Comfort Measures
An epidural doesn't always take away all of the pain of labor. Here are some great ideas on how to help ease labor pain with an epidural from doula and childbirth educator, Brenda Lane.

Medical Risks of the Epidural
Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona looks at the risks of epidural anesthesia from a medical perspective from the small risks to the big risks.

Epidural Consent Form
It's important to have informed consent about any procedure, read the sample consent form.

Maternal experience during epidural
Maternal experience during epidural or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia for cesarean section: a prospective, randomized trial.

Reported Side Effects
Reported side effects of epidural anesthesia.

What to do When the Epidural Doesn't Work
While an epidural should give you good pain relief in labor, do you have a back up plan in case the epidural doesn't work?

Epidural Without Guilt Review
A review of the book Epidural Without Guilt.

Walking Epidural Collection
Collection of information on walking epidurals.

How did your partner feel about an epidural for birth?
Most of the time we gloss over what everyone else says, thinks or does when it comes to labor pain. But what about dad? Does he get a say? What did he think about epidurals in labor? Was he more pro natural childbirth? Was he begging for the epidural for himself? Just how did it go in your family?

Did you have a spinal headache after birth?
Spinal headaches are not super common, but when they happen after you've had a baby, it's bad news and painful. Here are some moms sharing their stories.

Epidural or Nothing for Labor Pain?
What can you do to deal with labor pain other than the epidural?