How Is Regional Anesthesia Given During Labor and Childbirth?
If you request regional anesthesia, you may receive epidural or spinal anesthesia, or a combination of the two. Your health care provider will select the type of regional anesthesia based on your general health and the progress of your labor. After reviewing your medical history, the anesthesiologist will numb an area on your lower back with a local anesthetic. The anesthesiologist will then insert a special needle into the numb area to find the exact location to inject the anesthetic medication. After injecting the medication, your anesthesiologist removes the needle. In most cases, a tiny plastic tube called an epidural catheter stays in place after the needle is removed to deliver medications as needed throughout labor. The procedure can be done while you are either sitting up or lying on your side.
