An epidural is a type of regional anesthesia that is used to relieve pain during labor and delivery. It involves injecting medication into the epidural space, which is the area around the spinal cord. Epidurals can be very effective in relieving pain, but they can also have side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and difficulty urinating. In some cases, epidurals can also lead to more serious complications, such as nerve damage and paralysis.
There are a number of things that women can do to try to avoid getting an epidural. These include: