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Pregnancy Today's Advisory Panel Answers:
Do epidural medications cross the placenta?
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Question
I am an RNC with over 10 years of OB experience. I also teach childbirth classes. I am
concerned about an article that was in our daily news. It is about a couple who are
teaching the Bradley method of childbirth. When this woman was contacted about her
classes she made specific matter-of-fact statements about epidurals. The statement that
she made was that epidural medications cross the placenta and make the baby drowsy at
birth, as do local anesthesias. This has not been my experience. Can you please give me
information on epidurals and the effects to the fetus? - Carol -- Crestview
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Answer
As with every extreme position, there is a string of truth. Here are the facts: Local
anesthetics cross the placenta. Local anesthetics are used in epidurals. Some local
anesthetic placed into the epidural space will be absorbed into the bloodstream and
cross the placenta. The small amount of local anesthetic from a properly placed
epidural that is absorbed into the bloodstream and crosses the placenta should not
affect the mentation of the baby. The lack of affect on the mentation of the baby is an
advantage that regional techniques, such as spinals/epidurals, have over intravenous
medications.
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