There's also a slightly greater chance that you may need forceps. Nationwide, epidurals are the most popular form of pain relief. And doctors have worked on reducing dosages and combining drugs to minimize side effects and increase the expectant mom's mobility. One innovation is the patient-controlled epidural, in which you regulate the amount of medication delivered by pushing a button. The needle goes through the dura directly into the spinal canal.
Most women feel numb from the waist down, which can affect their ability to push.
Spinals are usually given as close to delivery as possible, because they usually wear off after a couple of hours. And since predicting delivery time is never exact, the drug may wear off before the baby is born. Side effects can include itching, nausea, vomiting, and shaking. This allows for more pain relief with an epidural if the spinal loses its effectiveness before the baby is delivered. You also don't lose the ability to move.