Advantages:

1. Increased maternal satisfaction

2. Retention of the urge to bear down and the ability to push during the second stage

3. Retention of bladder sensation / avoidance of urinary retention

4. Obstetric outcome may be improved

5. Long-term post-partum blockade may be reduced

Disadvantages:

1. You have to stay still for 10 to 15 minutes while the epidural is put in, and then wait up to 20 minutes before the medication takes full effect.

2. You’ll need an IV, frequent blood pressure monitoring, and continuous fetal monitoring.

3. In some cases, an epidural provides spotty pain relief.

4. The drugs used in your epidural may temporarily lower your blood pressure.

5. In very rare cases, an epidural affects your breathing.