How is the epidural block given for a cesarean delivery?
If you already have a labor epidural catheter in place and then need a cesarean delivery, it is usually possible for your anesthesiologist to inject additional anesthetic medication through the same catheter to enhance pain relief safely. This stronger concentration of medication converts the analgesia to anesthesia. Anesthesia is necessary to numb the entire abdomen completely for the surgical incision. If you prefer to have an epidural block during your cesarean childbirth and you did not have labor epidural analgesia, there usually is enough time to provide epidural anesthesia.
