Are epidurals effective for overweight women?

Yes: Epidurals are effective for overweight women, though, it may sometimes be a little more difficult to place an epidural depending on the amount of adipose tissue present.

Yes.: Dosing may be adjusted and it may be a more difficult placement if the patient is morbidly obese. Otherwise, it should work well.

Yes: Epidural anesthesia is effective regardless of body weight if the needle can be inserted with the tip in the correct location - in the epidural space. In very overweight patients it may be more difficult to correctly place the needle, so a longer needle may be required, and the patient may be placed in the sitting position which could help make insertion easier by aligning and curving the spine.