Cathy Seapy

LivingWell, Medical, Parenting, Pregnancy

How Do Epidurals Work?

Used in an estimated 75% of births in the U.S., epidurals are one of the most common methods of pain relief during labor and delivery. Despite how routine they’ve become, many people don’t fully understand how they work or what to expect if they choose to get one. Whether you’re planning for childbirth or just curious, understanding the basics of an epidural can help you make an informed decision when it’s time to deliver your baby.

What does an epidural do?

Epidurals are used to numb the area from your bellybutton to your upper legs. This helps to eliminate labor or delivery pain. This is done through a mix of anesthetic and an opioid, such as hydromorphone or fentanyl. It typically takes around 15 minutes for the medication to kick in. While epidurals do help numb the pain, you will still feel pressure, which helps determine when you need to start pushing.

How is an epidural administered?

Epidurals for labor pain are commonly administered in two different ways; single injection epidurals or catheter epidurals.

Single injection epidurals are administered with a syringe in your epidural space of your lower back. This is the most standard form of epidural injections. The effects of the anesthesia last for a few hours before beginning to wear off.

A catheter epidural is when a small tube is inserted into your epidural space. This allows multiple doses of medication over a longer period of time. The effects of the anesthesia last longer with a catheter because of the consistent doses.

Is an epidural painful?

Your anesthesiologist will numb the area before administering the epidural. This is done through an injection in your lower back. The numbing injection may pinch, but you most likely won’t feel any pain for the epidural. You may the feel slight pressure of the needle being inserted into your epidural space.

When can I get an epidural during labor?

When you get an epidural is up to you and your healthcare professional. There is no specific timeframe in which you can receive one during the labor process.

What are the risks and possible side effects?

While very rare, there are some possible risks to having an epidural, such as:

  • Infection
  • Blood clots
  • Nerve damage
  • Spinal headaches
  • Blood pressure complications
  • Itchy skin

If you experience any of these complications after receiving an epidural, be sure to notify your healthcare provider immediately to get the appropriate treatment.

How We Can Help

If you are seeking more information and safe space to ask questions, we are here to help you. We offer pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, education, and options consultations at no cost to you. To schedule an appointment, click here or call us at (530) 272-6800.

Sources Used

Macmillan, Carrie, Epidurals During Childbirth: What Women Should Know, Yale Medicine, 2023.

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/epidural-anesthesia

Made For This Moment, Epidurals, American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2023. https://madeforthismoment.asahq.org/pain-management/epidural/

Cleaveland Clinic, Epidural, Cleaveland Clinic, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21896-epidural

Tanya Wonderly, RN

Nurse Manager

This blog has been reviewed and approved by our Nurse Manager.

LivingWell, Relationships

Signs of a Healthy Relationship

Whether you’ve been in a relationship for a few years or only a few months, it’s important to be sure that your relationship is healthy. We often hear about red flags, but what about green flags—the signs that your relationship is strong, supportive, and built to last? Healthy relationships are created through mutual respect, communication and trust. In this blog, we’ll look at the key indicators of a healthy relationship and how to know if you’re on the right track.

You Feel Safe to Be Yourself

“Just be yourself” is a phrase that we hear all the time. However, it means more than you may think. If you feel like you need to put on a persona every time you’re with your partner, this is an indication that you don’t feel safe to be who you are. Pretending to be someone different can be draining and damaging to a relationship.

It’s important that you feel completely comfortable to be yourself with no worry or concern. You shouldn’t feel like you’re not good enough. If you feel confident in who you are, then that is a sign that your self-worth is thriving in your relationship.

You Have Good Communication

Healthy communication is key to a relationship’s success. It’s important to be able to communicate well with your partner. Holding things back or not expressing how you feel can be very damaging to a relationship. If you feel that you can openly express how you feel to your partner and be genuinely heard by them, then you’re on the right track. This leads to our next point.

You Feel Safe To Speak Up

In your relationship, do you feel safe to speak up about potential conflicts or disagreements? If not, then you may have unhealthy communication. You should always be able to bring up certain topics to your partner without any fear of retaliation.

Arguments and disagreements are a part of every relationship–it’s how those arguments are handled that matters. Working through disagreements with mutual understanding and respect is a key part of a healthy relationship.

If you ever feel physically unsafe around your partner or are experiencing any abuse, it’s important to tell someone and get help immediately.

You Have Healthy Boundaries

In a healthy relationship, both people know and respect each other’s boundaries. Ignoring those boundaries and pushing the other person past them is one of the fastest ways to destroy trust and respect in your relationship. They are three key things when it comes to boundaries: knowing yourself, communicating your expectations, and holding your ground. If your partner doesn’t take your boundaries seriously, this is a huge red flag for your relationship. You should feel safe to talk openly with your partner and know that they will respect the boundaries you have set and feel comfortable with. If your partner respects those boundaries, then you can know that they also respect you.

You Have Realistic Expectations

Unmet expectations can damage a relationship as frustration builds and communication erodes. It’s important to be honest about what you want and need in your relationship, as well as what your partner wants and needs. As the relationship moves farther along, having this discussion can often eliminate future resentment and pain.

If you don’t communicate what you want but get upset at your partner for not doing it, you can cause bitterness in the relationship that never had to be there in the first place.

You Trust Each Other

Without trust, there is no healthy relationship. You need to know that your partner is always there for you, just as they need to know that they will get that same support in return. Trusting each other can look like:

  • Respect each other’s privacy and personal space
  • Never questioning their motives without good reason
  • Trusting them to talk kindly about you when you’re not around
  • Knowing that they will never push you past where you are comfortable

Trust is the foundation of every relationship! Make sure that you feel you can trust your partner completely.

After reading through these six points, evaluate your relationship and decide if you think it’s healthy. Maybe there was a point that you feel your relationship can improve. If so, talk with your partner so you can grow your relationship together!

How We Can Help

If you find yourself in need of pregnancy testing or just need a safe space to talk, we are here for you! We offer pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and options consultations at no cost to you. To schedule an appointment, click here or call us at (530) 272-6800.

Cathy Seapy

CEO

This blog has been reviewed and approved by our CEO.

 

 

LivingWell, Medical, Pregnancy, Ultrasounds

Verifying Your Pregnancy: Why It’s Important

Finding out that you’re pregnant can bring a whirlwind of emotions such as excitement, anxiety, or even uncertainty. Whether it was planned or not, confirming your pregnancy is crucial for making informed decisions. A missed period or early symptoms can be indicators, but only a reliable pregnancy test and medical verification can provide true clarity. In this blog, we’ll explore why confirming your pregnancy is the first vital step to take before making any pregnancy related decisions.

What does it mean to verify my pregnancy?

Verifying your pregnancy means confirming that you are pregnant through reliable methods. While an at home pregnancy test can determine that you’re pregnant through the hCG hormone in your urine, it cannot determine how far along you are or if your pregnancy is viable. On top of that, they aren’t always 100% accurate. “Many home pregnancy tests claim to be 99% accurate, but home pregnancy tests differ in their ability to find a pregnancy in people who have recently missed a period.” (Mayo Clinic).

Medical confirmation ensures that your pregnancy is viable and progressing normally. This is done through a reliable pregnancy test and an ultrasound.

Why should I verify my pregnancy?

All pregnancy decisions, such as abortion, rely on important factors like how far along you are and if your pregnancy is viable. These factors determine the different pregnancy options that are available to you. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has an approved timeline of ten weeks gestation for a chemical abortion (ACOG). This means that taking the abortion pill after ten weeks can cause potential medical complications. If you don’t verify your pregnancy, you won’t know exactly how far along you may be.

For your safety, it’s important to be aware of these factors and be well-educated on all of your pregnancy options.

What are some risks if I don’t verify my pregnancy before making my decision?

Getting an ultrasound can confirm that your pregnancy is progressing healthily in the uterus. It’s possible for the fertilized egg to plant outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy and requires immediate medical attention. If you move forward with a pregnancy decision without verifying the placement of the baby, there can be serious risks towards your health and safety.

Additionally, an ultrasound confirms whether or not the baby has a heartbeat. If there is no heartbeat, then the pregnancy is not viable and will miscarry naturally. In this case, any action taken to end your pregnancy can cause potential complications.

How can we help?

If you need to verify your pregnancy, we are ready to help you! We offer pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and options consultations at no cost to you. To schedule an appointment, click here or call us at (530) 272-6800.

Sources

ACOG Clinic Staff, Medication Abortion Up to 70 Days of Gestation, ACOG, October 2020

https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/10/medication-abortion-up-to-70-days-of-gestation

Mayo Clinic Staff, Home Pregnancy Tests: Can you trust the results? Mayo Clinic, December 2022

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/home-pregnancy-tests/art-20047940

Tanya Wonderly, RN

Nurse Manager

This blog has been reviewed and approved by our Nurse Manager.