The complications that are most common with an epidural are things like a drop in mom's blood pressure (maternal hypotension) which can lead to fetal distress if not treated, is usually quickly treated by medications and position changes. Other complications can include:
- fetal distress
- fetal malpositioning
- increase in the cesarean rate
- increase in the use of forceps and vacuum
- maternal fever
These are relatively common with epidurals, but corrections require various procedures. Paralysis, numbness, nerve injury, accidental spinal and infection for mom are really rare but do occur.
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