A spinal puts numbing medicine into the fluid around your spinal cord, and it usually works right away. An epidural puts medicine just outside that fluid sac, in the epidural space, and it usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes to start working. An epidural often uses a small tube called a catheter, so more medicine can be given later. A spinal is usually done once and does not need a catheter.

Both are shots in or around the spine that block pain in part of your body. During either one, your pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen level are checked.

In simple terms, a spinal is faster and usually one-time, while an epidural starts more slowly but can be continued through a catheter.