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will I NEED and epi?

cherrycobblercherrycobbler member
in VBAC
So I got to thinking, and I know really only my dr can answer this, but are epidurals usually required to trial of VBAC?  It seems like I keep reading that this is the norm.  Then I was thinking about IVs, and my dr had told me she was ok with just the line inserted-not connected to anything- way before my first c/s.  So I was wondering, can they do the same thing with an epi?  Put the line in, administer no meds, so that labor can progress naturally and I could move around and be there "just in case"?  Anyone have any clue?  I don't even know much about epidurals.
BFP#1: EDD 10/11/11 Our sweet boy Robin was born 7 weeks a little early on 8/23/11 due to HELLP syndrome, unfortunately he was diagnosed with Trisomy13 and left us on 8/29/11. BFP#2: EDD 10/13/13
thelossblog.blogspot.com
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Re: will I NEED and epi?

  • honkytonk_kidhonkytonk_kid member

    Epidurals are not generally required for VBACs. Some doctors say they are, but that is not a policy supported by research.

    You would have to ask your dr about having the epi access just in case. I've never heard of it happening, but that doesn't mean it doesn't. The thing about epidural anesthesia is that it takes a while to kick in- ie 30 minutes- and most hospitals have a policy that you get a 500-1000ml bolus of IV fluids before an epidural. So, having the access in place as a time saving mechanism is, well, pointless. In the event of an emergency, you would get a spinal (near immediate numbing) or general anesthesia.

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  • cherrycobblercherrycobbler member
    Thanks.  I guess I thought the effect was more immediate, as with a lot of IV administered drugs.  I'm just trying to come up with ways of weaseling out of certain things before they even become an issue.
    BFP#1: EDD 10/11/11 Our sweet boy Robin was born 7 weeks a little early on 8/23/11 due to HELLP syndrome, unfortunately he was diagnosed with Trisomy13 and left us on 8/29/11. BFP#2: EDD 10/13/13
    thelossblog.blogspot.com
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  • holly321holly321 member
    I wasn't required to have one, and NY spinal didn't work properly with my first csection, I was put under. It turns out that I developed scoliosis from a back injury, so I wonder if I will be required to have one next time, because it is possible to numb me, but apparently not very easy.
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  • RumbleLinaRumbleLina member

    No. I am having an unmedicated VBAC.

    I have heard some OBs require it but if a cesarean is needed I would deny the epi over a spinal either way so having the epidural just in case voids my intent. My epidural didn't work last time so I ended with a cesarean under general anesthesia anyways. 

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  • RumbleLinaRumbleLina member

    imagecherrycobbler:
    Thanks.  I guess I thought the effect was more immediate, as with a lot of IV administered drugs.  I'm just trying to come up with ways of weaseling out of certain things before they even become an issue.

     

    No need to weasel. Communicate with your OB and tell them what you are comfortable with. This is your body and your decision, not theirs. Familiarize yourself with hospital protocol but overall educated yourself and have those discussions with your OB.

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  • nosoup4unosoup4u member
    There have been women who've posted about just having the line run, but no meds administered. I don't really see the point, as you'd still be required to stay in or near the bed.

    Like rumblelina said, its better to know exactly what your provider is okay with,so you know what to expect, or even that it might be better finding a new provider.

    I had an unmedicated VBAc as well.
    DS1 - Feb 2008

    DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)

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  • Squirrel29Squirrel29 member
    I had a VBAC last May in a hospital without an epi, an IV or any other interventions.  I would urge you to be up front with your ob and let him/her know what you want far in advance of your due date.  If you have a truly VBAC supportive ob they will often work with you.  For instance, my hospital technically had a policy that all VBAC's needed to have an IV catheter put in place when admitted.  I told my doctor several weeks before my due date that I didn't necessarily want one but wanted his opinion on it.  We discussed the pros and cons and he fully supported my decision to refuse it.  So when I showed up at the hospital at 7 centimeters dilated I had the confidence to tell the nurses that I had discussed it with my doc and I was refusing the IV.  I had to sign a waiver and am fairly certain that had I not gone through the previous discussions with my ob I would not have had the mental fortitude to refuse that particular intervention in the moment.
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  • jasminej613jasminej613

    My birth team does not require an epidural for a trial of labor/VBAC attempt. 
    I feel like they don't want to introduce anything into your spinal column "just in case" because of infection risks, etc, but I'm not an anesthesiologist so I have no clue. Definitely ask your doctor.


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