Common side effects of an epidural at birth

Common side effects of PDA are a slight drop in blood pressure, especially in the first half hour after the PDA is inserted. This can lead to dizziness and nausea. Approximately 23% of women get fever from the PDA.

It can also lead to a slower pulse. Therefore, the patient is monitored by a doctor, especially in the initial phase. In addition, difficulties in urination may occur, as the area of the bladder is also numbed.

For emptying the bladder, it may therefore be necessary to insert a bladder catheter. This can lead to infections, especially of the bladder. Also numbness and tingling in the legs occur relatively frequently. If the hard skin of the spinal cord is injured by the needle and cerebrospinal fluid leaks out, this can lead to severe headaches that last for several days.

Disadvantages of an epidural at birth

One difference to births without anesthesia and narcotics is that the birth process takes longer on average for births with an epidural. This is primarily due to the fact that the rhythm of contractions and pressing is no longer perceived exactly by the expectant mother and the favourable time to push and thus to advance the birth is not used. In addition, it happens more often that the baby does not turn into the correct birth position and instead of being born face down, is born face up.

On the one hand, this can lead to bruising in the area of the child’s head and, on the other hand, is a position that must be supported more often with forceps or the suction cup. This obstetric position can lead to injuries in the vaginal area of the woman and often has to be supported by an episiotomy. The risk that a caesarean section is needed does not increase with an epidural. However, if a Caesarean section is necessary, general anesthesia can often be dispensed with and the epidural can be given a higher dosage so that the mother can consciously witness the birth and then take the baby in her arms.