Everything you need to know about epidurals and spinal nerve blocks in birth with Anaesthetists Soph and Laura

Dr Sophie Bermingham and Dr Laura Willington are consultant anaesthetists working in South Australia. As mum’s themselves, Sophie and Laura have a passion for women centred care. We sat down with them both to discuss all things pain relief and the role of anaesthetics in labour and birth.

In this episode we cover:

• What’s the difference between an epidural and a spinal?

• Is every epidural the same?

• How epidurals have changed over the last 20 years

• What are the risks of epidurals and spinals and how common are they?

• Is it normal to have pain at the injection site and how long is it “normal” for it to last?

• Is low back pain after an epidural common?

• How likely is it to have incomplete pain relief coverage?

• The differences between anaesthetic care in the public Vs private systems in Australia  

• Soph and Laura’s personal experiences with anaesthetics in labour and birth 

Resources:

Information on pain relief choices in labour - labourpains.org