low does epidural

ljanette85 · June 2012

i want to go without an epi BUT who knows what will happen. If I labor for days and im to tired to push I will take an epidural over a c-section. my question is, can you request a low does epidural? i would rather feel a little at that point and be able to push than totally numb myself and risk them shutting it off or using forceps, vacumn, etc... thanks!

EmmyPumpkin · June 2012

There is a lower-dose epidural available sometimes known as a "walking epidural". Ask your doc about it, or ask the nurse who gives your hospital tour.

sschwege · June 2012

EmmyPumpkin:
There is a lower-dose epidural available sometimes known as a "walking epidural". Ask your doc about it, or ask the nurse who gives your hospital tour.

This. Or you might look into IV meds. If given at the right time you might be able to sleep and then it will wear off before pushing. Just another option to consider. I know a girl in my Hypnobirthing class who did this as an alternative to an epi. She said it made her sleepy, although she didn't sleep, I think it helped her to at least rest. It was the right choice for her because her labor was really long and when it came time to push she pushed for three hours. She said what finally made her push effectively was pushing on the toilet which she wouldn't have been able to do with an epi.

5dogs · June 2012

I asked for a walking epi after 16 hours of hospital labor (2.5 days total labor) and they told me it was an all or nothing kind of thing for their hospital. I did try some IV meds an hour earlier to try and get me to relax but they lasted for a minimal amount of time (less than an hour).

ljanette85 · June 2012

thank you

I will ask my doctor about these at my next visit.

danienross · June 2012

I was induced with my daughter and hit a point that I was no longer allowing my body to do what was needed. I was semi pressured into the epidural but made it clear that I did not want the full strength version. The anesthesiologist diluted the epi with fluid from my IV. I never completely lost feeling in my legs and even helped get myself into the stirrups. It's definitely possible.

dmhrn13 · June 2012

walking epidurals are not used in labor. most of the time, it depends on the anesthesiaologist how "heavy" they epidural is- and they can't really control it- some do a better jon than others. by that i mean, pain relief but ability to move & feel pressure of the head & an urge to push. there isn't much you can do from your end- you can sometimes ask them to tunr it off or down once you are 10 cm's or close to it.

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