You may be given a local anesthetic if you need an episiotomy to avoid a tear in the perineum. Local anesthesia rarely affects the baby. This is one of the safest forms of pain management. Wears off quickly and sometimes slows the baby's heartbeat. An epidural block will lessen pain from contractions, as well as the pain in the vagina when the baby emerges.
Epidurals are one of the most popular forms of pain relief.
With a spinal block, you have to stay in bed since sitting up to quickly may cause spinal fluid to leak out of your lower spine, giving you a bad headache. Pain relief may only last one or two hours, and the mother's blood pressure may drop, which could slow the baby's heartbeat. Copyright Ellora Microsystems 1999, Contact Us All Standard Disclaimers Apply. Designed and Maintained by Ellora Microsystems, Mumbai.