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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the difference between a spinal block and epidural?

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    Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
    I'm having a second ceasar later this year and would like to know the difference between a spinal block and epidural? What are the pro's and con's of each?
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    Thanks

    Dr Melanie Strang

    Counsellor

    An epidural or spinal anaesthetic is an injection of local anaesthetic, to make the lower part of your body numb. Epidural and spinal anaesthetics do not make you sleepy and do not affect the baby,Near the spinal cord there is a sac of fluid called the dural sac. A spinal anaesthetic is an injection of local anaesthetic into the fluid inside the dural sac. An epidural anaesthetic is an injection of local anaesthetic around the outside of the dural sac.Epidural anaesthetics are usually used in labour, because a plastic tube can be threaded into the epidural space and left there for ongoing doses of local anaesthetic until you  no longer require pain relief.Spinal anaesthetics are usually used as a single injection of local anaesthetic for an operation. The single injection lasts for 2-3 hours Spinal anaesthetics are better for a planned caesarean section, because they block the nerves more completely and more rapidly than an epidural.

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