Local anesthesia may be used by your health care provider during delivery to numb a painful area or after delivery when stitches are necessary. Local anesthetic medications do not reduce discomfort during labor. In both epidural and spinal anesthesia, medications are placed near the nerves in your lower back to block pain in a wide region of your body while you stay awake. Regional anesthesia greatly reduces or eliminates pain throughout the birthing process. It can also be used if a cesarean birth becomes necessary.
General anesthesia is used for emergencies during the birthing process.
General anesthesia induces sleep and must be given by an anesthesiologist. While safe, general anesthesia prevents you from seeing your child immediately after birth. Your anesthesiologist will inject medications near the nerves in your lower back to block the discomfort of contractions. The medication will be injected while you are either sitting up or lying on your side. After reviewing your medical history and asking you some questions, your anesthesiologist will numb an area on your lower back with a local anesthetic.