I've got a legit question about epidurals

Stasi · September 2013

When people say "I got an epidural, but it didn't work/wore off and I felt everything", how did they know? Couldn't it just have worn off a little, or maybe your labor is particularly hard and so even with the full on epi, you still felt pain? Or is there someway that you know that the epi isn't working anymore...

I'm interested because although I didn't have one with Kate, it's still in the cards for #2 and I've always been curious about it.

(This will also be a P&R until I can get home in a few hours).

MississippiCatfish · September 2013

I knew because I was having awful contractions, got the epidural and felt nothing, and then an hour later they were back and even worse. After that the anesthesiologist came twice to try again and all I got was numb from the thigh down in my left leg. Trust me, if it doesn't work, you know;) I can't imagine ever agreeing to another epi given how terrible it all was (I hated not being able to reposition myself because of the dead leg). If it had worked, on the other hand, I'd probably do it again in a heartbeat:)

AKB090609 · September 2013

In my case I knew it wasn't working because I could feel the doctor cutting, like I couldn't feel the skin layer but I could feel the next layer. They put me under pretty quickly.

Stasi · September 2013

MississippiCatfish said:

I knew because I was having awful contractions, got the epidural and felt nothing, and then an hour later they were back and even worse. After that the anesthesiologist came twice to try again and all I got was numb from the thigh down in my left leg. Trust me, if it doesn't work, you know;) I can't imagine ever agreeing to another epi given how terrible it all was!

Wow, numb from the thigh isn't helping anything!!!

MommaP12 · September 2013

It worked on one side for me and not the other with DS and for DD, the pain was just so intense at certain points, it wasn't working and they were upping the drugs to get me through. With DS they had me lay to the side that it wasn't working on to try to get it to drip that way, but it didn't really work.

Both of my children were still GOD AWFUL deliveries with DD being worse (yes, my SECOND delivery was much worse and I pushed longer despite being much more fit during that pregnancy, go figure) but it was because she was stuck in my pelvic bone (edit: she was also sunny side up, awesome). The pain was so intense, they gave me almost as much drugs as a C-section candidate and I was about a minute away from a C-section since her HR kept dropping since she was stuck. Forceps got her out eventually. She's lucky she was #2 because after that delivery, she would have been an only child.

hmp1 · September 2013

With James, everything was bliss after my epi. About 6 hours later I was in so much pain so they gave me more. It was too much though because 2 hours after that, I couldn't push. The doctor turned my epi off. He said it would stay in my system for an hour though. If I remember correctly, he gave me a shot to numb me during my stitches since that was more than an hour later.

mrsjenni · September 2013

All 3 of my epi's worked JUST FINE

But I was in labor next to my sister who had an epi that never worked. She obviously knew it wasn't working b/c she never got any relief. They tried 2 different times to put it in and it just didn't take. She felt everything and, even from the L&D room next door, her screaming made me cry. I'm all for med-free deliveries if that's what you want, but I feel terrible for those that plan on an epi and it doesn't work. It sucks b/c I don't think many prepare for the alternative.

MommaP12 · September 2013

DH and I still laugh at the point in DDs delivery (about an hour and 15 minutes in) in which I was crying in pain and said to him "I can't do this anymore." He was like "okay..." since he obviously didn't know what to say to that!

hahahaha. I'll just walk around pregnant forever mkaythanks.

BPer · September 2013

My epi took on only one side until they took it out and re-placed it. My right side was okay, but I had horrible contractions and back labor that I still felt every bit of on the left side. It sucked.

linzeek44 · September 2013

Mine only worked on one side. I know this because my left leg was dead. My right leg had plenty of sensation and the contractions felt the same on my right pelvic area as they did before the epidural. Anesthesiologist had already given me a tons of meds and he said no more. It sucked a lot.

mrsbhk22 · September 2013

My Epi with DS2 only took well on one side. It seemed like I could feel everything. DD was a med free birth and there was significantly more pain than the Epi wearing off.

With that being said, my med free was so much more "enjoyable" than the partial Epi because I could move around and try different things through contractions.

I agree with @mrsjenni that an unplanned med free birth where they are trying to get meds to work would be the worst.

eshee8198 · September 2013

Ditto some of the previous posters - I knew because the pre-epidural pain and post-epidural pain was the same. Which is a real bummer because I was promised bliss by everyone I knew that had one, and bliss I did not receive.

But my right leg did go numb from the thigh to the toes, which was awesome.

jhasselt · September 2013

My first epi worked fine, with #2, there wasn't enough time between getting the epi and delivery, #3 only worked on one side. #3 was totally the worst. They kept injecting more thinking they didn't give me enough, so after delivery the nurse said "well, that'll make it so you just can't walk the rest of the night." and right she was! I felt like crap and could only move one leg. MAJOR SUCKAGE! I'd rather deliver med free from the start. Even with number 2, why go through trying to get the epi, if you're going to lay back down and start pushing. Stupid.

thebanich · September 2013

With DD it worked but I still felt A LOT of pressure. It started to wear off while the OB was stitching so the Anesthesiologist had to come back and dose me up again.

With DS they put in the order for one but he was born long before anyone ever showed up.

MrsKipper · September 2013

My epi kept switching sides. I would be pain free in one side and felt a lot of pain on the other. The nurse would flip me on my side for a bit, it would drain to the non-working side and I would feel compete relief, then it would stop working on the other side. Rinse and repeat. I was so tired of being tossed side to side!!

GR8TDANEMOM · September 2013

That is a good question. I got an epidural and it was awesome for an hour then I woke up and was in so much pain. It was worse than the contractions before the epi. They gave me more and it didn't help at all. Who knows maybe the pain would have been even worse without the epi and maybe some of the edge was taken off. I know I have witnessed births with an epi that worked how it should have and they were not anything like my experience, I was not smiling and laughing.

I want to try med free next time, because the worst part was not being able to move at all to manage pain.

Holly_1007 · September 2013

I had 1 epi birth and 1 med free, let me tell you that with ds#1 (epi) I thought that 'the epidural wore off during pushing and I felt everything' . having been through a med free birth, that was a lie. The epidural numbs your stomach, since in the earlier stages of labor thats where you feel the contractions. once the baby gets below the pubic bone, you can feel it again. So in reality, the epi was still numbing my stomach, but the pain had moved from my stomach to my pelvis/vag area. with no epi, the pain radiates from your boobs to your thighs, with an epi its just from the pubic bone down. well, this was my experience at least

redneckmomma25 · September 2013

I had an intrathecal. So one shot. Lasts two hours. I could feel almost all by the end of pushing. But it got me from 7-10cm without pain. Local numbing for my stitch.

Stasi · September 2013

Thanks ladies. I'm trying to get an arsenal of information together to make a decision about epi v. no epi this time around. I had some complications with Kate post delivery which were really painful (the dr. suck her hand in my uterus and "swept" out blood clots that were making my hemmeroage) it made delivering a baby with pain meds seem like a JOKE. I'm not sure i can do it again.

Stasi · September 2013

cheeseandrice said:

I had an epi. It dulled stuff for a little bit, but then everything hurt just as bad (and eventually worse) that pre-epi. They gave me a second blast which helped dull some of the pain, but I could still feel pressure. When the anesthesiologist came back a third time, I could feel every time she poked my skin.

I felt the moment I tore, I felt every contraction, felt Lo come out, and felt them stick me with a needle when they were stitching me with a needle. (At that point I screamed and she gave me a local numbing at least.)

So yes. I'm 100% convinced that the epi was failed.

Yikes. I would agree, epi fail. I couldn't tell when or when I tore because it all felt like "tearing" the entire time she was crowning and coming out. I guess I couldn't make out what was happening where, which by the sound of it almost seems better than knowing you are actually tearing and acutely feeling it.

Flamingemu · September 2013

I had back labor with L and my epi worked perfectly. I actually had to have them turn it off because I couldn't feel enough to push. They turned it off and waited for half an hour. I had regained just enough feeling to push her out and get my stitches. I only had 3 though so I don't they would have bothered me too much anyway.

The amount of pain I was in before the epi was ridiculous. I did not have traditional contractions, they were all in my back. After my epi, I took a nap until I progressed to a 9. I went from a 5 (showing up in the hospital, getting an epi) to a 9 in about 3 hours. The best part of my labor.

Hyaline · September 2013

I ended up with an unplanned epi after being in transition for hours. Anyway, they only gave it to me long enough so I could catch a break, and I definitely felt it begin to wear off midway through pushing (which is what I requested). So I felt the pain and pressure of the "ring of fire" at the end and the tearing. But there was a definite difference between unmedicated and "wearing off." I really don't know if I would have known, had I had it early on, if it was just the contractions getting stronger or the epi wearing off or failing, to be fair. So--UO--I honestly think there's no way of knowing unless you've done it once med-free and once with an epi if your epi was doing truly doing nothing or not.

LyndseylovesHugh · September 2013

Since you are trying to make a decision and are only getting negative experiences, I will give you my positive experience, even though that is not what you asked for :-) I was induced on Monday night and by Tuesday afternoon had not progressed much so they gave me a balloon catheter which got things moving. Within a few hours I was having very intense contractions almost on top of each other. Then my water broke and they told me I could get an epi when ever I wanted at that point. I never wanted to go med free, so I opted to get it right then and I had instant relief. It was amazing! I could still move my legs, I was no longer in pain but I could still feel pressure. I knew when it was time to start pushing, I was even the one that told the nurse that I needed to, she did not think I was at 10cm yet but when I started feeling the urge she checked and I was. I ended up needing a c-section, not an emergency one, but a pretty rushed/urgent one, so it was great that I already had my epi. I will need a RCS, but if I was going to have a VBAC I would get an epi again no question! Obviously not trying to persuade you one way or the other, but I wanted to let you know that plenty of people have issue free epidurals.

BillyMollyEmmy · September 2013

Mine worked in my hips where I was feeling most of the contractions. It did NOT, however, numb my vagina, and I felt the baby come out and rip me.

Plus I could walk after giving birth, and you're not supposed to be able to weight bear all that well.

danabsd · September 2013

I know mine worked because I didn't feel a thing. I was induced so I got it from the moment I felt discomfort, took a nap and they woke me up to push a couple hours later.

Then I peed the bed in recovery and they gave me a puppy pad. Totally worth it.

Note: I never even considered going medfree.

watercolor5 · September 2013

My epi worked great... went from needing DH to coach me through each contraction to relaxing and calling my mom on the phone. They made sure I was moving back and forth as much as possible so it spread to both sides, though if anything the side it was weaker on was the side DD was preferring I be on anyway to keep her heartrate up.

They gave me a button to press if it started to wear off, and I pressed it once when I started to feel contractions again, not knowing that I was at 10cm when I pressed it, so I was a little bit number than I would have liked when I pushed, but not so bad that I couldn't tell when a contraction was coming. My experience was great, and I'd love to get one this time around too.

Oh the anesthesiologist came in a while after the epi had been administered and checked to make sure it was working, by pressing on my leg with his fingertip or his pen cap, and asking if I could feel which was sharper. He rated my response on some sort of anesthesiologist scale of effectiveness, so he knew it was working before he left.

phytoocean · September 2013

My Epi worked well, but I won't think I ever go into full labor because I was induced and then didn't progress for 2 days. I just wasn't ready. It was easier when I ended up getting my c-section, everything was in place already.

bosha711 · September 2013

My epi with DS was great.

My epi with DD was botched. He poked around forever & I knew something was wrong, although he would have never admitted it.

I delivered DD 10 minutes after getting the epi, so it did not kick in. I felt every last bit of the ring of fire.

After I delivered is when it kicked in - but only to one side of my body. I wasn't allowed to be moved out of the delivery room for over 3 hours until it was fully worn off & I was able to walk on it. Longest 3 hrs of my life!!

jbBeans · September 2013

Stasi said:

cheeseandrice said:

I had an epi. It dulled stuff for a little bit, but then everything hurt just as bad (and eventually worse) that pre-epi. They gave me a second blast which helped dull some of the pain, but I could still feel pressure. When the anesthesiologist came back a third time, I could feel every time she poked my skin.

I felt the moment I tore, I felt every contraction, felt Lo come out, and felt them stick me with a needle when they were stitching me with a needle. (At that point I screamed and she gave me a local numbing at least.)

So yes. I'm 100% convinced that the epi was failed.

Yikes. I would agree, epi fail. I couldn't tell when or when I tore because it all felt like "tearing" the entire time she was crowning and coming out. I guess I couldn't make out what was happening where, which by the sound of it almost seems better than knowing you are actually tearing and acutely feeling it.

Same for me (also medfree)--I tore but had no idea when as the whole thing was generally quite intense. I also think I'd prefer that in theory. I think they gave me some local numbing when they stitched me but I didn't really feel much because I was staring at the baby I was holding like "whaaat????!"

L8kissie · September 2013

With ds, I don't know if it wore all the way off, but it most certainly stopped blocking out the pain. I could feel lots of that. I could feel my contractions. I felt the OB perform the episiotomy. I felt every stitch as he put me back together. It "ran out" while he was stitching, but I'd been able to feel lots for the couple of hours before. While it was working, it was amazing though. I slept and didn't feel any contractions anymore.

steenbean18 · September 2013

My labor was an absolute nightmare. We were induced because of pre-e and they had me on a magnesium drip. Because of the magnesium, I was having really crazy erratic contractions with the pitocin. I had no epidural because I wasn't really feeling the contractions much and thought I was doing pretty well. They had the pitocin up to 30 (!!!) when my water broke and it was INSTANT torture. They rushed someone in to give me an epidural and I puked the whole time she put it in. It did NOTHING. After a few hours of waiting, a second anesthesiologist came in and did a second epi. I puked the entire time she put the second one in as well. It made my legs numb and impossible to move...but I felt every single contraction 100%. At that point I was pretty much in agony for another 3 hours before I spiked a fever at 8cm dilated and got my c-section prize. They didn't even bother with trying another epi and just gave me a spinal. I was so relieved just to not feel anything...Hoping for a better experience this time.

kelbel527 · September 2013

I'm going to jump in with "not all epidurals fail" perspective. I had it with both both boys and it worked great. They turned it down while I was pushing, so I could feel when to push. With ds1, I could feel the tightening, and some pain and pushed him out with minimal pain. With DS2, I felt a lot more. It was easier than an epi-free birth, but was still very painful as I pushed him out. But it did help me know when and motivated me to push harder. The epi helped give me the energy I needed when it was time to push, which I am thankful for. It does work sometimes!

BillyMollyEmmy · September 2013

cheeseandrice said:

BillyMollyEmmy said:

Mine worked in my hips where I was feeling most of the contractions. It did NOT, however, numb my vagina, and I felt the baby come out and rip me. Plus I could walk after giving birth, and you're not supposed to be able to weight bear all that well.

isn't that super fun? feeling the actual tear?

and yeah. I could completely move my legs and feet immediately after (I almost kicked the surgeon in the face when she first stuck the needle in for stitches.) I was able to get up off the bed no problem (well, aside from the pain) not long after and walk to the bathroom.

re: stitches, SAME HERE. I was like "ummm you need to numb that because I can feel you sewing me!" He was shocked, and I thought to myself, didn't you think I could feel it when I was screaming as I pushed the baby out? I wasn't just screaming and swearing for fun.

thebanich · September 2013

Kemare20 said:

My epi was the most amazing epi ever. I felt NO pain but I could feel everything. I could literally feel G's head moving down the birth canal and coming out. After I delivered they asked if they could help me move my legs over the bed so they could help walk me to the bathroom. I said "no, I think I am fine" and got up and walked to the bathroom. The nurses were pretty shocked that I was able to feel my legs let alone walk on them with no help. Just a "good" story so you know they don't all wear off. I had my epi for 12 hours.

That is so crazy. I couldn't even sit up in my bed for 24 hours after DD was born. I kept sliding down in the bed and DH would have to help me up. Definitely couldn't walk. Also couldn't pee.

I was up showering about 5 hours after DS was born (no epi).

redneckmomma25 · September 2013

Also, if they say the word nubane, scream no and waddle away.

Holly_1007 · September 2013

cheeseandrice said:

BillyMollyEmmy said:

Mine worked in my hips where I was feeling most of the contractions. It did NOT, however, numb my vagina, and I felt the baby come out and rip me. Plus I could walk after giving birth, and you're not supposed to be able to weight bear all that well.

isn't that super fun? feeling the actual tear?

and yeah. I could completely move my legs and feet immediately after (I almost kicked the surgeon in the face when she first stuck the needle in for stitches.) I was able to get up off the bed no problem (well, aside from the pain) not long after and walk to the bathroom.

See my previous comment, It numbed my stomach, nothing lower than my pubic bone. At one point I ended up on my hands and knees due to heart decels, with an Epidural.

Holly_1007 · September 2013

cheeseandrice said:

Holly_1007 said:

cheeseandrice said:

BillyMollyEmmy said:

Mine worked in my hips where I was feeling most of the contractions. It did NOT, however, numb my vagina, and I felt the baby come out and rip me. Plus I could walk after giving birth, and you're not supposed to be able to weight bear all that well.

isn't that super fun? feeling the actual tear?

and yeah. I could completely move my legs and feet immediately after (I almost kicked the surgeon in the face when she first stuck the needle in for stitches.) I was able to get up off the bed no problem (well, aside from the pain) not long after and walk to the bathroom.

See my previous comment, It numbed my stomach, nothing lower than my pubic bone. At one point I ended up on my hands and knees due to heart decels, with an Epidural.

I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt since you added the 'just my experience' disclaimer. But yeah. eff off.

Just because I haven't had a med-free birth by choice, doens't mean I don't recognize that my epi, did in fact, not work.

ETA:, in case you need more proof on my personal experience. I also felt every contraction. and felt every time the anesthesiologist poked my skin. including on my stomach.

Uh. I was agreeing with you?

MRoxy0628 · September 2013

Holly_1007 said:

I had 1 epi birth and 1 med free, let me tell you that with ds#1 (epi) I thought that 'the epidural wore off during pushing and I felt everything' . having been through a med free birth, that was a lie. The epidural numbs your stomach, since in the earlier stages of labor thats where you feel the contractions. once the baby gets below the pubic bone, you can feel it again. So in reality, the epi was still numbing my stomach, but the pain had moved from my stomach to my pelvis/vag area. with no epi, the pain radiates from your boobs to your thighs, with an epi its just from the pubic bone down. well, this was my experience at least

I'm pretty sure mine worked, but I thought that having an epidural meant you wouldn't feel pain when you pushed. I even said to them, "I thought this wasn't supposed to hurt!" Reading your explanation makes sense. Lily was also sunny-side up and I pushed for 4.5 hours, so I'm sure that had something to do with the pain.

thebanich · September 2013

Holly_1007 said:

I had 1 epi birth and 1 med free, let me tell you that with ds#1 (epi) I thought that 'the epidural wore off during pushing and I felt everything' . having been through a med free birth, that was a lie. The epidural numbs your stomach, since in the earlier stages of labor thats where you feel the contractions. once the baby gets below the pubic bone, you can feel it again. So in reality, the epi was still numbing my stomach, but the pain had moved from my stomach to my pelvis/vag area. with no epi, the pain radiates from your boobs to your thighs, with an epi its just from the pubic bone down. well, this was my experience at least

I've never had a single real contraction in my "stomach." I only had that sensation with BH.
Both times I went into labor I knew it was time because the pain was very low in my back/pelvic area. The epi I had helped my back but didn't do a lot for anything else. I still felt like "OMG my entire lower half is going to explode from the pressure"

My epi-free birth I was on my side gripping the metal bars (the doctor told my husband he could hold my arm but that I could potentially break his hand) crying and screaming on occasion. I. felt. everything.

Holly_1007 · September 2013

cheeseandrice said:

holly, my issue was that your original comment came across very "I thought my epi failed until I had REAL medfree birth." It was very condescending to people who have said they had failed epis.

You said: "thought that 'the epidural wore off during pushing and I felt everything' . having been through a med free birth, that was a lie."

ah. gotcha. My recent comment was in complete agreement with you, that's why I was confused.
I did not mean my original comment as condescending at all. After Keagan was born, I would have told anyone that listened that my epidural wore off during pushing, now I know that it wasn't the case, the pain moved to a different area that the epidural didn't cover (Like I said, mine only covered my stomach)
I'm not doubting that in some cases the epidural fades or doesn't take, and you feel everything. Just saying that a lot of times people think that their epidural "wore off" when in reality, the pain just moved to a different area. and obviously, I'm not a doctor, just something I have figured out through my own experience, attending friends births, and reading birth stories. Didn't mean to "condescend" anyone.

Holly_1007 · September 2013

LoisLayn23 said:

I would still categorize Holly's first epi as failed because it didn't numb you properly. Just like numbing 1 leg and not the other is failure.

It did numb me for over 7 hours, Keagan moved below my pubic bone (ie time to push) then I felt more pain, but like I said, it wasn't nearly as much pain as med free.

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