An epidural is a type of regional anesthesia where medication is injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord in the back. This injection blocks pain signals from the lower half of the body, providing pain relief without causing unconsciousness
. It is commonly used during labor and delivery to relieve childbirth pain, as well as during surgeries involving the pelvis, hips, legs, lower abdomen, and other areas below the injection site
. The procedure involves placing a catheter into the epidural space, allowing continuous or controlled delivery of anesthetic medicines, which may include local anesthetics and opioids
. Epidurals allow patients to remain awake and alert while significantly reducing pain, and they can be adjusted to control the level of numbness
. They are generally safe but can have side effects such as lowered blood pressure, headaches, or rare complications like infection or bleeding around the spinal cord
. In summary, an epidural is an injection near the spinal cord that provides effective, targeted pain relief, especially during childbirth and certain surgeries, by blocking nerve signals from the lower body
