MODEL RELEASED. Epidural anaesthetic. Anaesthetist injecting an anaesthetic drug into the lower back of a woman prior to a caesarean section delivery. The anaesthetic is being injected into the epidural space, the space around the membranes that surround the spinal cord. It will cause a loss of sensation and loss of pain in the lower half of the body. The use of an epidural allows the woman to be conscious during the delivery. A caesarean section involves making an incision through the abdomen and uterus in order to remove the baby. Caesareans are usually performed when a vaginal delivery would lead to complications, although some women choose to have their baby delivered this way. Photographed at the Hospital Robert Debre, Paris, France.