Skip to main content
Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Ngangkiku Ngartuku Kukuwardli
Acknowledgement
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on the traditional lands for the Kaurna people, and we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge that the Kaurna people are the custodians of the Adelaide region, and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

Pain Relief Options – Epidural Anaesthesia

Epidural anaesthesia is a common method of pain relief used by women during labour.

Epidural anaesthesia is a common method of pain relief used by women during labour. This video discusses, in detail, how an epidural anaesthetic works to relieve pain. It also goes through important issues about having an epidural anaesthetic during labour as well as some commonly held beliefs that have been shown to be incorrect. There is also a detailed discussion about the risks of having an epidural anaesthetic that women and support people should be aware of.

Your Story

Would you like to share your experiences of using epidural anaesthesia during labour? If you have recently had your baby at the Women's and Children's or been a support person for someone who did and would like to share your story, please get in touch via email. Your details will remain anonymous.

Email address: HealthCYWHSAnaesthesiaWB@sa.gov.au

Further Information

Please note: The Women's and Children's Hospital does not use pethidine or diamorphine. A similar medicine, fentanyl, is given into a small cannula under the skin. The amount of pain relief achieved and the side effects are very similar to those described for pethidine and diamorphine.