An epidural usually involves putting a sterile guide needle and a small tube (epidural catheter) into the space around the spinal cord. (This is called the epidural space.) The catheter is placed at or below the waist.

The needle is inserted and removed, while the catheter stays in place. The catheter is taped in place up the centre of your back and at the top of your shoulder.

Medicine is injected into the catheter to numb your belly and lower body. This will help relieve pain during labour and birth.

The medicine for a spinal is injected in a single dose into the fluid around the spinal cord. The benefit of a spinal is that it works quickly.