Labor & Vaginal Delivery

Pain relief, also called analgesia, during labor and vaginal delivery at Saint Barnabas is most commonly achieved with a continuous epidural technique. This involves the insertion of a small, soft plastic tube (catheter) into the epidural space, which is an area outside the spinal canal. The catheter is taped to the mother's back and pain relieving medications are slowly infused to relieve the pain of labor. Sometimes the epidural is reduced towards the end of labor to allow for more effective pushing by the mother.

Epidural analgesia has no direct harmful effect on the baby. It has been shown to provide superior pain relief compared to intramuscular or intravenous narcotics without the depressant effects on the baby that can occur with these latter pain relief modalities. The epidural is started at the discretion o the attending obstetrician and anesthesiologist on the labor and delivery suite when an adequate labor pattern is well established. Epidurals are not administered in the Perinatal Evaluation and Treatment area (PET unit).

The anesthesiologist also evaluates the newborn baby and is prepared to manage problems that may arise. Following birth, the parents may hold the baby to allow bonding.