What are the possible complications of epidural and spinal anesthesia?
• Infrequently, once the anesthetic takes effect, the mothers uterus contracts very hard. This may cause the babys heart rate to decline briefly, but does not harm the baby. • Approximately one in every four hundred patients receiving spinal or epidural anesthesia gets a spinal headache. Spinal headaches usually start the day after the anesthetic. These headaches can be painful, but are not life threatening and can be treated. • On rare occasions, the epidural medication may go into a blood vessel. A very large dose could cause a loss of consciousness or a seizure. Small doses are normally used for labor. • Occasionally, the anesthetic can be too strong and breathing assistance may be required. • Very rarely, back or nerve damage can occur. While extremely rare, major organ damage or death may result from any anesthetic.
