When can an Anesthesia Provider be consulted for pain management?
Anesthesia providers are available 24 hours a day for consultation regarding pain management for labor and delivery. The Obstetrician or Nurse Midwife will usually administer intravenous medications initially to help manage the discomfort of labor. If this does not provide adequate pain control they may choose to consult the Anesthesia Provider on call. Before an Anesthesia Provider will consider interventions such as epidural or intrathecal anesthesia a woman should be in an active labor pattern and be committed to delivery.
