Expert: JM Starkman, MD - 6/27/2009

Question
During my labour with epidural, I was taken for a caesarean and the anesthetist topped up my epidural but at the end she told me that she had given me too much anaesthetic and was worried that my numbness hadn't worn off. Eventually it did, but I am planning to go to the same hospital to have my next baby. At the time it seemed like nothing major and she seemed very calm. What actually was the risk and should I be worried that this may happen again? Should I mention it at any antenatal checks I attend at the hospital?

Answer
Epidurals, like all anesthetics, entail risks. It may happen again.  Then again, it may not.  Mention it.  Meet with the hospital's anesthesia team well in advance of your delivery to consider your options.  

My OB/anesthesia colleagues can't stand when I say this, but:  Before epidural anesthesia human females delivered babies unanesthetized for thousands of years......................