Anaesthesia is usually considered to be a more intense blockage of all sensations, including muscle movement. Your wishes and your medical condition are important in selecting the type of pain relief administered to you. Be assured that your physicians will prescribe or administer medications only in the amounts and during those stages of labour that are best for the safety and well-being of your baby. These IV medications are usually prescribed by your obstetrician. Because they sometimes make both you and your baby sleepy, they are used mainly during early labour.
Regional blocks refer to epidural and spinal blocks .
They are administered in the lower back, usually by an anaesthesiologist. An epidural block administered below the level of the spinal cord is called a lumbar epidural block , and when given in the tailbone area is a caudal block . Local anaesthetics and other drugs are used for these procedures to reduce or block pain and other sensations over a wider region of the body. Epidural analgesia may be used for labour and vaginal delivery. An epidural block may also be used to provide anaesthesia for a caesarean section.