Facts about epidurals...

An epidural is an injection of painkilling drugs into a space surrounding the spinal cord. It is the most effective form of pain relief available for labour. You will be asked to lie on your side or sit up with your back curled over. A local anasthetic is given to numb the area and then a very fine tube is inserted into your back and left in place. The painkilling drugs pass down the tube and gradually seep into the area around the spine, numbing the nerves that transmit labour pains. Once the epidural is in place the midwife will check up on you more often.

• Depending on the mixture of drugs used, your legs may go totally numb. More usually you will be able to feel and move your legs - this has become known as a 'mobile epidural'.
• Labour usually slows down after an epidural because the body's production of oxytocin is reduced.
• A caesarean section is often perfromed using epidural anasthesia.

The effects of an epidural take about two hours to wear off. The timing should ensure that it has worn off in time for the second stage of labour, so you can push effectively.

Help I'm having a Baby has a whole section on pain relief during labour, with loads of important information on epidurals. Plus - hear from women who have experienced an epidural and medical experts underline the benefits and the risks of an epidural.

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