Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Walking Epidurals in India: Benefits and Barriers
Walking epidurals are a type of pain relief during labour that uses a lower dose of anaesthetic to allow women to move around.
This can make labour more comfortable and may help the baby descend naturally.
However, in India, walking epidurals are not very common because they require special training and resources that many hospitals do not have.
Experts say that women with low-risk pregnancies can benefit from walking epidurals, but those with high-risk pregnancies may need traditional pain management.
As more women seek personalised maternity care, the use of walking epidurals may increase in larger hospitals that have the right expertise and safety systems.
Walking epidurals use a lower dose of anaesthetic to reduce labour pain while allowing movement.
They can make labour more comfortable and may shorten labour and reduce the need for interventions.
Walking epidurals are not widely adopted in India due to resource and expertise requirements.
Suitable candidates are women with low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancies who request pain relief.
Adoption is likely to increase in larger, specialised hospitals with the right expertise and safety systems.
- Who
- Pregnant women in India, obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and hospitals.
- What
- Walking epidurals, a type of pain relief during labour that allows movement.
- When
- Available in India for over a decade but not widely adopted.
- Where
- India, particularly in larger, specialised hospitals.
- Why
- To provide effective pain relief while allowing more movement during labour, but adoption is low due to resource and expertise requirements.
Proponents of Walking Epidurals
Cautious Adopters
Effectiveness and Comfort
Proponents of Walking Epidurals
Walking epidurals provide effective pain relief while allowing women to move, which can enhance the birthing experience and potentially shorten labour.
Cautious Adopters
The effectiveness depends on the expertise of the anaesthesiologist and the specific conditions of each labour, which may not always guarantee easier delivery.
Resource Requirements
Proponents of Walking Epidurals
Walking epidurals can be beneficial if hospitals have the necessary resources and trained staff.
Cautious Adopters
Not all hospitals have the resources or staff needed to support this type of monitoring, making widespread adoption challenging.
- Definition
- A walking epidural uses a lower dose of anaesthetic combined with pain-relieving medicines to reduce labour pain while allowing women to move.
- Benefits
- Encourages movement, may shorten labour, reduces need for interventions, and improves overall birth experience.
- Prevalence in India
- Very low compared to Western countries, around 10-20%.
- Suitable Candidates
- Women with low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancies who request pain relief and have no contraindications to epidural anaesthesia.
- Challenges
- Requires experienced obstetricians, skilled anesthesiologists, continuous fetal monitoring, and trained nursing staff.