How to Get a Paracervical Block

Paracervical blocks, given during childbirth, were once very common. While paracervical blocks can give good pain relief from the discomfort of dilation and can be used quickly without the woman becoming disoriented or dizzy, it does have many side effects and is rarely used anymore. If you're curious about getting a paracervical block, you should speak to your doctor for more information.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor. Paracervical blocks are rarely given anymore due to the severity of the side effects for the unborn baby. Common side effects from the paracervical block include fetal distress, reduced muscle tone in newborn, newborn fussiness and a decrease in newborn reflexes.
2. Get to four centimeters dilation or beyond. You cannot use a paracervical block in early labor.
3. Prepare for injections of local anesthetic into both sides of your cervix. These may be uncomfortable, though pain relief does come quickly. Your doctor should give you the injections.
4. Expect to need much more local anesthesia for less pain relief than you would need with the epidural. If you require pain relief during childbirth, the epidural is much more effective form of pain relief, uses less medicine and has fewer side effects for your baby.
5. Plan on getting pain relief during childbirth for only one to two hours before needing another injection.