How do I
position myself for epidural placement
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Bhavani
Shankar Kodali MD,
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Ideal
positions for epidural placement
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For an ideal position, you should arch your spine in a such a way that you push your lower back outwards. Several words are used to describe this
position to patients such as "letter 'C', 'like a shrimp', 'angry cat', 'pelvic tilt', etc. See the following figures to understand this
position. It is worth practicing this position at home before heading to the hospital. Ideal
position makes placement of epidural easy.
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Sitting position
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In addition to arching your back outwards, keep shoulders down without
leaning to either side. Keep your chin down.
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On the bed on your side
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In addition to arching your back outwards, keep shoulders down without
leaning forwards. Keep your chin down
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How does these positions help in facilitating epidural placement? To understand look at the following figures.
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Arching your spine as described above, widens the gap between the spines as shown below to facilitate easy entry of the needle.
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