Epidural
An epidural is a method for delivering pain relief drugs or local anesthetics through a tiny tube called a catheter placed in the small of the back, just outside the spinal canal.
An advantage of the epidural is that it allows most women to fully participate in the birth experience (continue to feel touch and pressure) while relieving most, if not all the pains of labor.
All women may not be a candidate for this type of labor analgesia. Be sure to speak with your delivering provider to discuss your options for pain control.