The pudendal block is injected into the pudendal canal where the pudendal nerve is located. It gets it’s name because of a local anesthesia such as  lidocaine or chloroprocaine. It is usually given during the second stage of labor. The pudendal block provides quick pain relief to the perineum, vulva and vagina. It provides pain relief around the vagina and rectum as the baby comes down the birth canal. It is also helpful just before an episiotomy.
 

 
Lidocaine is usually preferred for a pudendal block. This is because it last longer than chloroprocaine which usually lasts less than an hour.

What you have to know about a pudendal block

 
A pudendal block may involve one or more of the following risks

• risk of infection
• risk of blood clot
• risk of local anesthetic toxicity
• large doses of anesthesia may be needed to experience relief
• some babies may have difficulty breastfeeding immediately after birth
• local anesthesia medications enter the blood stream and cross the placenta.

 
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