7 Things Expectant Mothers Should Know About Anesthesia

DALLAS, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Mother's Day approaches, Dr. Amy Mauritz, obstetric anesthesiologist for U.S. Anesthesia Partners and mother of two, wants to empower expectant mothers with helpful information related to anesthesia options during delivery.

The anesthetic typically used during a vaginal delivery is an epidural while a spinal is typically used for a cesarean delivery. Both an epidural and a spinal are types of neuraxial anesthesia that work by injecting medication into the lower back near the spinal cord. This process blocks the nerves that carry pain signals from the lower body, making childbirth more comfortable for the mother.

Dr. Mauritz shares seven things expectant mothers should know about anesthesia.

1. Any mother can request an epidural anesthetic. Dr. Mauritz says there is a misconception that mothers in labor must reach a certain dilation in order to ask for an epidural. Not true. If previously cleared as able to receive an epidural, a mother need only make that request, regardless of her dilation.  
2. Not every mom will be medically eligible for an epidural or spinal. An expectant mother's medical history or medications may prevent her from getting an epidural or a spinal. Mothers should ask their ob-gyn ahead of delivery if they can receive an epidural or a spinal. When they do, their doctor will ask them a number of questions to determine their candidacy. It's better for a mother to know well ahead of time what pain solutions she will or won't be able to use.  
3. Precisely follow instructions on eating and drinking. Mothers should make sure they follow the NPO, or "nothing by mouth," guidelines ahead of scheduled cesarean deliveries. If they do not, the scheduled delivery may have to be postponed to decrease the risk of aspiration.
4. Epidurals and spinals are safe for the baby. Because epidural and spinal medications are not given via an IV, a very minimal amount of medication reaches the bloodstream, which minimizes the baby's exposure. 
5. Epidurals don't increase the risk of chronic back pain. This is another common misconception. Dr. Mauritz cited a long-term study comparing a group of new mothers who had received epidurals to a group who had not and found that the incidence of back pain between the two groups was the same. 
6. Anesthesia effects. Dr. Mauritz says it takes about 10-15 minutes for an epidural to fully kick in, while a spinal takes about five minutes. Epidurals and spinals can cause blood pressure to drop, so if mothers are feeling nauseous or light-headed after receiving an epidural or spinal they should tell the physicians immediately. Which leads to…
7. Speak up. Throughout the entire delivery and afterward, mothers should be very vocal about what they are feeling. If they feel numb on one side of their body but not the other, or feel an epidural or spinal is not taking effect, tell the anesthesiologist. Don't be shy.

And although not specifically related to anesthesia, Dr. Mauritz has one final suggestion for expectant moms and dads: You don't have to take your own selfies in the OR. Dr. Mauritz encourages fathers (with mom's blessing) to bring their cameras into the operating room to capture the special moment, and tells them they don't have to take selfies. "We can handle the cameras, too," she says. "We love to take pictures of the new family."

(Please note:  The information provided in this release is for educational purposes only, does not take the place of consultation with one's physician, and does not constitute medical advice or establish a physician-patient relationship.) 

About U.S. Anesthesia Partners 

US Anesthesia Partners, Inc. (USAP) is a physician-owned, clinician-led organization dedicated to providing high-quality anesthesia services. USAP anesthesiologists, CRNAs and CAAs work in more than 700 facilities across the country to provide anesthesia care for more than 2 million cases annually. USAP's over 4,500 clinicians have expertise in many anesthesia subspecialties, including pediatric, cardiac and OB anesthesia. USAP's data-driven quality metrics enable continuous innovation and improvements that are shared across the organization via its national and local clinical quality network. This network helps facilitate the delivery of consistent, high-quality services for patients, surgeons, facilities, and health plans. To learn more about USAP, visit http://www.usap.com/.

SOURCE U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc.