Can anyone get an epidural?
Most patient that deliver are normal, healthy patients. There are some patients who may not be eligible for regional anesthesia because of co-existing medical conditions. Women who have bleeding disorders should not receive regional anesthesia because the procedure can cause bleeding into the epidural space, which may cause nerve injury. Women with severe infection can also develop nerve injury after regional anesthesia because of the introduction of bacteria into the epidural space. Complicated back surgeries such as Harrington rods and spinal fusion can present unique challenges for the anesthesiologist and should be discussed in advance whenever possible. The anesthesiologist may need to request surgical notes or X-rays in advance of your labor. If you have a concern regarding one of these issues, we will be happy to consult with you on the phone or in person.
