Epidural anaesthetic can be used for several different operations and procedures.
It can be a good alternative to a general anaesthetic because you stay awake during the operation and are therefore able respond to the doctors and nurses who are treating you.
Many people who have epidural anaesthesia find that they experience less nausea and vomiting than during general anaesthetic. It also takes less time to recover from the effects of the anaesthetic.
As well as providing pain relief and anaesthesia during childbirth, epidural anaesthesia is also sometimes used during certain operations. For example, it may be recommended for:
- hip and knee surgery,
- surgery to reconstruct arteries in the lower legs,
- amputation of the lower limbs,
- operations on the genitals or bladder,
- surgery for varicose veins, hernias and piles (haemorrhoids), and
- pain relief following surgery that was carried out under general anaesthetic.
Epidurals during childbirth
Some women have an epidural anaesthetic during childbirth. Your doctor or midwife will tell you if they think you need an epidural, although the final decision is up to you.
An epidural is usually recommended in the following cases:
- During particularly painful, or prolonged, labour,
- when there is a risk that an operation may be required,
- for the delivery of twins or triplets,
- if you have a medical disorder that makes general anaesthesia dangerous,
- for Caesarean delivery, and
- for delivery that requires using forceps, or a ventouse delivery (where a suction cap is attached to the baby's head to help with the delivery).
Low-dose (mobile) epidurals
Low-dose epidurals are also known as ‘mobile’ epidurals. These are sometimes given to women during labour. A smaller amount of anaesthesia is given so that sensations in the nerves are not completely blocked.
Having some sensation in your legs and abdomen means you'll be able to move around to a certain degree. For example, it may be possible for you to walk a short distance if you're completely supported by your midwife.
A low-dose epidural is a way of giving you a brief rest from the pain during early labour. It also allows you to sleep. You should be able to feel the contractions and the need to push during the final stage of labour.
If you have a higher-dose epidural, you will not feel your contractions and your midwife will need to tell you when to push.
