maternity
Epidural
硬膜外麻酔 (kōmakugai masui)
An epidural is regional anesthesia injected into the epidural space of the lower spine to reduce or eliminate pain during labor and delivery. In Japan, epidural analgesia is not universally available and is offered mainly at larger hospitals and specialized maternity clinics. If you want an epidural, confirm its availability and any additional cost with your chosen facility well before your due date, as it may not be covered by national health insurance and can add significant expense.
Because epidural availability is limited in Japan compared to many Western countries, expectant parents should research and discuss pain management options with their chosen birth facility early in pregnancy.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Epidural |
| Japanese (日本語) | 硬膜外麻酔 |
| Chinese (中文) | 硬膜外麻醉 |
| Korean (한국어) | 경막외 마취 |
| Portuguese | Anestesia epidural |
| Spanish | Anestesia epidural |
| Filipino | Epidural na pampatawid-sakit |
| Thai | การระงับปวดด้วยยาชาทางไขสันหลัง |
| Vietnamese | Gây tê ngoài màng cứng |
| Romanization | kōmakugai masui |
Learn more in the guide:
Read the guide →Last reviewed: September 2026