Refined technique reduces side effects of ‘walking epidural’

Labor can be one of the most important and gratifying experiences in a woman’s life — as well as one of the most painful and uncontrollable. Recently, anesthesiologists at UW Medical Center have refined the “walking epidural” technique by using meperidine (Demerol), thus minimizing uncomfortable side effects that can occur with commonly used pain control techniques.

Most walking epidural techniques use a combined spinal and epidural anesthetic, which involves puncturing the dura (the outermost membrane surrounding the spinal cord) with a thin needle and injecting medication into the spinal fluid. Sometimes spinal fluid can leak out and give women a headache, which can be fairly incapacitating, says Dr. Cliff Chadwick, associate professor of anesthesiology and director of obstetric anesthesia at UW Medical Center. “We do not puncture the dura but instead inject medication into the epidural space outside the dura,” he says.

Although the new technique might take five minutes longer to provide pain relief, there are very few side effects, such as the itching, nausea or vomiting that often occur with other techniques, according to Chadwick.

Expectant mothers interested in learning more about the walking epidural and other pain relief options may contact Sue Huth, perinatal education co-coordinator at UW Medical Center, at (206) 598-4003. ¶

Ellen Liang