For expectant moms, pain management is often one of the most important parts of the birth plan. While some women are adamant about giving birth without assistance, others swear by the epidural, vowing not to give birth without it. If you are planning to have an epidural during your labor, you may have wonder whether there are any side effects associated with the procedure and how does an epidural affect you?
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, epidurals are designed to block the nerve impulses to the lower spine, giving the mother pain relief rather than complete loss of feeling while she is in labor. The medication reduces the mother's discomfort through the labor process and allows her to be more relaxed and focused as she brings her baby into the world.
The American Pregnancy Association reported that more than 50 percent of women giving birth at hospitals use epidural anesthesia, making it a popular choice among expectant moms. But after giving birth, many women experience headaches, bruising, and urinary incontinence as a result of receiving the epidural.
Millions of women receive epidural anesthesia and deliver healthy babies each day. But whether or not an epidural is a part of your plan, it can be helpful to know the potential side effects in case your plans change in the process. Here are a few things you may experience after receiving and epidural.