Epidural anaesthesia is regional anesthesia that blocks pain in a particular region of the body. The goal of an epidural is to provide pain relief, rather than complete anesthesia, which is total lack of feeling. Epidurals block the nerve impulses from the lower spinal segments resulting in decreased sensation in the lower half of the body.
As epidural anaesthesia relieves the discomfort of childbirth, it can help you and your partner have a more positive birth experience. Most of the time an epidural will allow you to remain alert and be an active participant in your birth. If you deliver by cesarean, an epidural will allow you to stay awake and also provide effective pain relief during recovery.
This is an ultrasound guided procedure where local anesthetic is injected on the sides of your abdomen after cesarean section to relieve pain.