Giving Birth: Labor Pains - What is a Spinal Block?

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From The March of Dimes

Spinal Block for Labor Pain
With a spinal block (also called a spinal), the woman receives an injection in the lower back that numbs the lower body. The medication is given only once (as compared to an epidural). It begins to relieve pain almost immediately. Pain relief lasts only 1-2 hours. A spinal block is best suited for pain relief during delivery. Examples: A cesarean delivery or a vaginal delivery in which the health care provider uses instruments to help the baby out.
Advantages
Advantages include:

You have fast, complete pain relief from the chest on down.
You remain awake and alert throughout labor and delivery.
Drawbacks
Possible side effects include:

Decreased blood pressure. This can slow the baby's heart rate.
Lightheadedness and nausea (in rare cases).
Higher risk of spinal headache, compared with an epidural.
Loss of bladder control.
Sometimes a spinal is given along with an epidural. This provides you with immediate pain relief and the option of more medication if you need it.

For more information, read Coping with Labor Pain.

January 2007