Do epidurals lead to c-sections?
No, this is a misconception. Though the way that an epidural is given can influence the likelihood of one needing a c-section, current epidural techniques should not cause c-sections. It should be noted, however, that more c-sections occur among women who have epidurals, but the epidural is rarely the reason for one needing a c-section. Some women are more likely to need c-sections than others. Women who have prolonged and extremely painful labors are not only more likely to need pain relief but they are also more prone to need c-sections. Extreme pain is often an indicator of a problem labor.
