Epidurals

Epidural pain relief is an increasingly popular choice for Australian women in the labour ward. Up to one third of all birthing women have an epidural,¹ and it is especially common amongst women having their first babies.² For women giving birth by caesarean section, epidurals are certainly a great alternative to general anaesthetic, allowing women to see their baby being born, and to hold and breastfeed at an early stage; however, their use as a part of a normal vaginal birth is more questionable.³