What to Consider When Requesting an Epidural

The first things we want to know about is has there been any significant gestational issues and in particular has there been a history of prayer clamps here or any other issue that may cause an increased risk of bleeding. There are some back problems that we do like to know about so in particular patients that have had previous spinal surgery because this distorts the anatomy of the epidural space. The last thing is really how much or how far a woman has progressed through her labour. Again this doesn't stop us from offering an epidural but it's a discussion.