Information you need about epidurals so you can make confident, educated decisions during your labor and delivery + video
Why you should plan to NOT get an epidural during labor and delivery
As a labor and delivery nurse, I’m “Team Epidural” but P-L-E-A-S-E have conversations with your provider about utilizing an epidural during your labor and delivery. I want to inspire you to make confident, educated choices that are right for YOU.
There are soooo many great reasons people choose to get an epidural during labor:
No access to facilities that support physiologic birth
To slow down labor in a precipitous labor situation
They don’t want to feel the intensity
They’re scared
Past traumatic birth
The fear of tearing
A medical condition that’s worsened by the pain or intensity
A medical condition that doesn’t allow full movement to cope with labor pain
Choosing to experience other parts of birth
They don’t want to feel pain
Are there RISKS to me or to my baby if I get an epidural during labor and delivery?
Damage to the spinal cord from an epidural is very unlikely because the epidural and the spinal cord are not in the same place.
However, the epidural catheter and needle do sit next to nerves, (that’s the whole point!) so there can be nerve damage, lower extremity weakness, and even paralysis that usually go away on its own or over time.
There are many stories of continued back pain as a result of an epidural.
There are also very real risks that are common, like dropping blood pressure, that can affect you or your baby during labor and delivery, and can lead you to an emergency situation.
Over the years I’ve supported thousands of births and I've seen a lot of epidurals during labor and delivery. If you choose to have an epidural, here’s how you are going to get ready to have a great one:
You need to plan to NOT have one.
Um, what?!?!
Of course you can get an epidural!
Of course I want it to be wonderful!
Of course, I want it to meet all of your epidural expectations!
But, you need to plan like you’re not going to have one.
Just hear me out:
Not all epidurals work, and not all epidurals work the same. If you get an epidural and it doesn’t work (or it works halfway) it can be harder to cope with labor. Here’s why:
Often, when in labor, your pain and intensity increases as it goes on. But we also have protective endorphins that increase as the intensity in labor increases. These endorphins are neurotransmitters, also hormones, that help us cope with the intensity. Pain goes up, endorphins go up.
When you get an epidural, it acts like a wall between your pain and your endorphins, and your endorphins don’t know that there is pain.
We actually have more endorphins helping with the intensity WITHOUT medication or an epidural.
There have actually been studies done showing that with an epidural the intensity goes up, but your endorphins do not. This information is helpful to understand why you should plan for NOT having an epidural. With LESS endorphins present after you get an epidural, it can be harder to cope with labor if your epidural ends up not working, or only works halfway.
So if you’ve planned to not have an epidural, then you’re ready –
- you have tools
- you have coping skills
- you have a team prepared to help support you through the finish line of having a baby
Check out the video I posted below to better understand how epidurals affect the production of endorphins! 👇
Have you been told you have to give birth on your back if you get an epidural during labor and delivery?
Well, that’s just a rumor and you’ve been lied to! I’ve been a labor and delivery nurse, educator, and birth strategist for over a decade and I am here to tell you-
You don’t have to give birth on your back with an epidural.
You do not have to labor on your back, nor do you have to push on your back, if you get an epidural. In fact, there are many awesome positions you can absolutely do with an epidural.
In the video below, I show you 13 positions you can do during labor and delivery WITH an epidural!
Be sure to ask for help to get into and out of them so that you stay safe! 
The Ultimate Guide to Taking Control of Your Childbirth is a great way to learn what to expect during your labor and delivery!
