Epidural: A Balancing Act Between Pain Relief and Fear of the Unknown: Cross-Sectional Study Among Females in Al-Baha Region

Background: Epidural anesthesia (EDA) is widely used, particularly in childbirth and C-sections, there is a significant lack of awareness, among women of childbearing age about its benefits and potential complications, which adversely affects the demand for this pain relief option. Methods: The study explores awareness and attitudes toward epidural anesthesia, among Saudi Arabian women aged 18–50 in the Al-Baha Region, surveying 601 participants via an online questionnaire. Data include demographics, knowledge, experiences, and attitudes toward future use, analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. Statistical tests like Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney assessed group differences. Results: The study reveals that most participants were aged 41–50 (37.6%), primarily Saudi nationals (98.1%), predominantly married (66.0%), with many working outside the health sector (46.0%) and holding university degrees (78.8%). A substantial number had been pregnant (66.3%), with 44.7% never experiencing natural childbirth and 68.7% avoiding cesarean sections. Only 35.9% were well-informed about epidural anesthesia, and 34.9% knew its difference from spinal anesthesia. Despite 29.3% believing epidurals are common in Saudi Arabia, 79.4% had not experienced them. Pain relief was important to 78.5%, with 61.4% considering epidurals optimal for childbirth. For future births, 48.6% desired epidurals, 33.3% would travel for it, and 42.0% would pay privately if necessary. Internet sources provided information for 44.1%, with few consulting anesthesiologists privately (2.6%). Conclusion: Demographic factors, younger women, those outside healthcare, and women without children show greater EDA understanding due to the diverse information sources The findings stress the need for targeted educational outreach and accurate, evidence-based information to improve EDA awareness and decision-making.