Serious epidural complications, in real numbers

Rare enough to be reassuring. Real enough to be disclosed.

Across 1.37 million obstetric epidurals: permanent nerve injury 1 in 240,000, epidural hematoma 1 in 168,000, deep infection 1 in 145,000, temporary nerve injury 1 in 6,700. Permanent harm is roughly a one in a quarter million event.

Where this comes from

Ruppen W, Derry S, McQuay H, Moore RA. Incidence of epidural hematoma, infection, and neurologic injury in obstetric patients with epidural analgesia/anesthesia. Anesthesiology. 2006;105(2):394-399.

Covered in the class

4Module 4. The epidural, in detailHow it is placed, what it feels like, what goes wrong, and the complications in real numbers.

Continue

Read this inside the full program, with the questions to take to your next visit and a record of what you have covered.

Obstetric Anesthesia Preparedness →

More from Pain relief

What labor pain is actually likeMost American women choose an epidural, and that number is rising. How American women manage labor painThree quarters use an epidural, and the gap by insurance is not about pain. The other optionsNitrous oxide, opioids, water, movement, and nothing. Nitrous oxide and intravenous opioidsBoth are options. Both relieve less pain than an epidural.

This page is educational. It supports the conversation with your own clinicians. It is not consent to any treatment, and it cannot assess you.