✨For or Against epidurals?✨
- Anne Matei
- Aug 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Epidural is a form of pain relief during labor where medication is injected near the spine to numb the lower body.
So… am I for or against the epidural?
As a doula, I'm neither. I'm for YOU making informed choices.
My tip: Learn about your options, form your preferences… but prepare for all scenarios.
Here’s what you need to know:
Benefits:
– Very effective pain relief
– Can be given at almost any time
– Can help you rest
– You may be able to control the dosage
– Serious complications are rare
Risks and Impacts:
– Doesn’t always work (1 in 8 people report poor pain relief)
– Very often leads to interventions (constant monitoring (CTG), bladder catheter, synthetic oxytocin, etc.) and reduced mobility
– Increases chance of assisted birth (forceps/vacuum) and longer pushing stage
– Possible side effects: low blood pressure, itchy skin, headache, nausea
– Leads to longer pushing stage (because epidurals numb or decrease the feelings from nerves on your cervix and pelvic tissues, can slow down labour by hindering utero-pituitary reflex)
– Can affect baby: fetal heart rate changes, lower Apgar scores, respiratory issues
Alternatives:
– Delay or decline the epidural
– Preparing (with your doula ) and trusting your body: our bodies are made to give birth without an epidural, we have the resources within us. But in some cases, for example when there are strong physical or emotional tension caused by pain, the epidural can become a valuable support.
– Try physical, emotional, or mental comfort measures
– Other medical options like opioids or laughing gas
Having a doula reduces the likelihood of requesting an epidural! Why? Because continuous support from a trusted person, professionally trained to understand the physiology of birth helps you cope with labor, on your terms.
You don’t have to choose sides.
You just need to be informed
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