Which specialist performs epidural?

The anaesthesiologist reviews your health, medicines, allergies, blood-clotting history, and the reason for the epidural. After positioning and cleaning your back, they numb the skin and guide a fine catheter into the epidural space near the spine. The catheter remains in place so medicine can be adjusted as needed. The anaesthesia team checks blood pressure, sensation, movement, and comfort, while the maternity or surgical team continues caring for the birth or operation.

Tell the anaesthesiologist about bleeding problems, blood-thinning medicines, infection, back surgery, allergies, and any difficulty moving into a curled position. Ask how long placement may take, what monitoring is required, and how movement or pushing may feel afterward. Follow the maternity unit's instructions about food, drink, medicines, and support during labour.

Tell the anaesthesia or maternity team immediately about severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, loss of bladder control, rapidly worsening numbness, severe back pain, or a severe headache that is worse when upright. After leaving care, seek urgent assessment for fever with back pain, new leg weakness, or difficulty passing urine. Temporary heaviness or altered sensation should still be reported if it concerns you.

Ask when the anaesthesiologist should be contacted, what alternatives are available, how medicines affect eligibility, and how the team will monitor you and your baby or surgical recovery.