Pain Management Options

The cervix is coated with mucus, which can be thick or thin, depending on a woman's monthly hormone levels. Because of its anatomical position, it is an easy target for infection.">cervix has dilated to four or five centimeters. An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist usually administers the epidural. You need to arch your back while sitting up or lying on your side. After cleaning and numbing the area, a needle is inserted into the area surrounding the spinal cord, a small tube or catheter is threaded through the needle into the space around the spinal cord (the epidural space). Then medication is given through the tube as needed. May result in sudden blood pressure drop and, rarely, severe headache if there is any spinal fluid leakage. May slow labor and make pushing more difficult. May cause some breastfeeding or respiratory difficulties in babies. Spinal block When narcotics are injected directly into the spinal column. The pain relief lasts about two hours. They are rarely used these days given the availability of epidurals. The medication crosses into the placenta and may affect the baby. May cause low blood pressure, problems pushing during labor and severe headache. Pudendal block An injection of a local anesthetic such as lidocaine into the pudendal canal in the pelvis to provide quick pain relief to the perineum, vulva and vagina as the baby moves through the birth canal.