Your baby's heartbeat will be monitored continuously, using a transducer strapped to your abdomen, or a smaller transducer clipped onto his scalp. There's a greater chance of needing to have a forceps or ventouse delivery because epidurals often prevent the baby moving into the best position to be born. If the epidural needle goes beyond the epidural space, there will be a leakage of cerebro-spinal fluid after the tube is taken out. This fluid buffers your brain and even a very small leak will give you a terrific headache. This is usually treated by taking a small amount of blood from your arm, perhaps the day after your baby is born, and injecting it into your back to seal the hole made by the epidural needle.
Some women have problems passing urine after having an epidural.
Not every hospital in England and Wales offers a 24-hour epidural service. Not available for a home birth. Keep very still while the anaesthetist is setting up the epidural. You will be on your side or sitting on the edge of the bed, leaning forward. Concentrate on your breathing.