However, a spinal block is injected into the fluid around the spinal cord.
Is One Better Than the Other?
Both spinal and epidural techniques are effective regional anesthesia for labor pain.
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The choice of anesthetic depends on the medical procedure.
If youre planning for a natural childbirth delivery, epidural anesthesia is more suitable.
It can give extended pain relief as required during labor pain, but it does not numb your legs.
The dose can be increased when needed.
When you are heading for a C-section, your healthcare provider may give you a spinal block.
It will provide an immediate onset of action and provide increased pain relief than an epidural.
Both spinal and epidural anesthesia can be used to perform knee replacement surgery.
The pros and cons of each throw in of anesthesia are described below.
Epidural and spinal blocks are safe compared to general anesthesia and sedation.
They are localized and have less recovery time.
Summary
Epidural and spinal blocks are two types of regional anesthesia.
Spinals and epidurals numb a large body region but can be used for different procedures.
Both are different in their onset and duration of action.
Epidural anesthesia is used mainly for pain management for longer durations.
In contrast, spiral anesthesia is used in major surgical procedures such as orthopedic surgeries and C-sections.
The anesthesiologist will determine the use of a specific anesthetic depending on the individual’s medical needs.
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