What Painless Delivery Means
Painless delivery is a normal vaginal birth supported by epidural labour analgesia. A fine catheter is placed in the lower back and a low dose of local anaesthetic is delivered continuously, dulling contraction pain while keeping you awake, alert and able to push.
It is not a caesarean section and it does not replace natural labour. Most mothers describe contractions afterwards as pressure rather than pain, which allows them to rest between contractions and conserve energy for the second stage.
Who Can Have It
Most healthy mothers in established labour are candidates. Your obstetrician and anaesthetist review your platelet count, clotting profile, spine anatomy and any bleeding disorder before the epidural is placed.
Mothers with certain spinal problems, active skin infection at the site, or specific clotting disorders may be advised alternative pain relief.
Recovery and Common Concerns
Walking is usually possible a few hours after delivery once sensation returns fully. Long-term backache is not caused by the epidural itself, studies consistently show the same rate of backache in mothers who did not have one.
At Greenview our anaesthetist is available for labour analgesia round the clock, with the obstetric team and operation theatre on standby if the plan needs to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an epidural increase the chance of a caesarean?
Current evidence shows epidural analgesia does not increase caesarean rates. It may slightly lengthen the pushing stage.
When during labour is it given?
Usually once labour is established and contractions are regular. Your obstetrician will confirm the right moment.
Our Obstetrics & Gynaecology team consults at our HSR Layout campus with in-house diagnostics and inpatient beds.