what is epidural?

Answer 1

It means the space above your dura, that is nerve matter, under the membranes that cover it. It usually is used to describe a kind of anesthesia.

It is anesthesia put directly into a tube to your spinal cord, instead of inhaled or injected. It is painful to get the tube in, and it can give you a bad headache later if it leaks afterwards. You can be awake and have knee surgery and never feel a thing (did that)

The idea is that it takes less stuff if you put it right on the spinal cord than otherwise, so it is considered safer for unborn babies or really fragile people who might be at risk from regular anesthesia.

Answer 2

The term epidural is often short for epidural anesthesia, a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space. The injection can cause both a loss of sensation (anaesthesia) and a loss of pain (analgesia), by blocking the transmission of pain signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord.

The epidural space (sometimes called the extradural space or peridural space) is a part of the human spine inside the spinal canal separated from the spinal cord and its surrounding cerebrospinal fluid by the dura mater

Answer 3

The term epidural is often short for epidural anesthesia, a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space. The injection can cause both a loss of sensation (anaesthesia) and a loss of pain (analgesia), by blocking the transmission of pain signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord.

The epidural space (sometimes called the extradural space or peridural space) is a part of the human spine inside the spinal canal separated from the spinal cord and its surrounding cerebrospinal fluid by the dura mater.
In lamens terms they stick a needle through your back into your spine to insert the catheter through the cath medicine will enter your spine causing numbness.

Answer 4

It is when they put an anesthetic in a part of your spine to make you numb from the insertion point down to your toes.

It can be frightening, especially when they tell you all the 'what could happen' that is very rare.

I've personally had one that didn't work (the anesthetic was not potent---long story) and one that did. When they stick the needle in the spine, you feel a tingle shoot down to your toes (go figure, they are messing with the nervous system), then gradually your legs get heavy and mine felt cold. They have some little signs they look for to see if they are in the right place...tingling/tickling in one foot, one leg going numb before the other, etc.

Answer 5

Proof that God or a higher life form exists.
No really it is a pain killer delivered through your spine via iv to block pain in your lower body, and if you are in labour it is a miracle drug because it allows you to actually enjoy the experience and get some much needed rest before you have to push and say goodbye to ever sleeping again for 18 yrs.

Answer 6

a giant needle in the base of your spine to help with the pain of active labour

Answer 7

It is something that they give you in the back to help your contractions. And I would get it if you are going to have your baby natural.