Category: Childbirth

Yes, many birthing women choose to have an IV narcotic while in labor for pain management. These medications offer temporary, not complete, pain relief by acting on the central nervous system to reduce the perception of pain, unlike regional anesthesia like an epidural.

Studies indicate that the use of epidural analgesia can delay the return of bladder sensation for several hours post-delivery, affecting how you go to the bathroom after getting an epidural. The medication, while effective for pain management, can temporarily interfere with the nerves that signal the bladder, making it difficult or impossible to urinate on your own. This necessitates different methods for bladder emptying until full sensation returns, which is a key part of postpartum care.