These are the main differences between spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia in childbirth

There are two types of anesthesia that are usually used in natural births, spinal and epidural. We tell you how they differ.

These are the main differences between spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia in childbirth

Spinal anesthesia and epidural anesthesia are the two drug administration processes to numb parts of the body and block pain in these areas that are most used in natural births. Although they have similarities, there are essential differences between both options.

Spinal anesthesia, like an epidural, is administered with an injection in the area of ​​the spine. The United States National Library of Medicine explains that in both cases the procedure is similar: “The anesthesiologist cleans the area of ​​the back where the needle will be inserted with a special solution,” and then, he may or may not “desensitize with an anesthetic. ” local ”.

In epidural anesthesia, the medication is injected “exactly outside the fluid sac around the spinal cord, called the epidural space,” explains the aforementioned medical source. On the other hand, in spinal anesthesia, the medication is injected “into the fluid around the spinal cord.” That is, “ it is applied directly to the cerebrospinal fluid, in a single dose," says the Natalben team. 

This difference between both anesthetics means that during childbirth the catheter is not used with spinal anesthesia because all the medication is administered at the same time. With the epidural, the catheter allows the patient herself to increase the dose, she only has to tighten it when she feels pain and believes that she needs more anesthesia.

Different effects and times

Obviously, this way of proceeding causes the medication to have a different effect depending on whether the anesthesia is spinal or epidural. The latter indicates the United States National Library of Medicine, "It begins to take effect in approximately 10 to 20 minutes and works well for longer procedures." If the anesthesia is spinal, add the same reference source, “the medication takes effect immediately.”

Dr. Nicolás Varela, in statements collected by Natalben, clarifies that in reality “ it takes between two and five minutes to take effect .” But, in any case, this is the reason why it is more indicated, according to the doctor, "in an imminent birth in which an almost instantaneous effect is required."

Disadvantages of the spinal cord

Regarding the advantages and disadvantages of spinal anesthesia compared to epidural, Dr. Nicolás Varela is clear: “ spinal anesthesia is more likely to produce temporary paralysis of the legs ." In addition, in principle, having a catheter to administer doses of anesthetic depending on the pain the patient feels is another advantage that does not exist with the spinal.

There are times when both anesthetics are combined. “The combination is used when we want a quick onset of effect, but also to be able to maintain it over time," explains Dr. Nicolás Varela, from the Navarra University Clinic, for Natalben.