@mellissalynay90 or others who had epi line placed w/o actual use

JessaPrimate · February 2014

Just read your birth story and was hoping you could elaborate on the epi line w/o actual meds. Was it uncomfortable to lie on? What range of motion did you have (length of typical iv line, etc)? Did they think they could get the drugs in you fast enough if they had to do emerg c-section or manually turn baby b if breech? Any other thoughts?

marcobonny · February 2014

I had an epi line for awhile without any meds. You can't even feel it's there. Think of it as an IV that's in your back. I wouldn't worry about it

JodiAriel · February 2014

I had mine placed and then not turned on for 27 hours. It is the tiniest thin tube and they just tape it straight up your back. If it is not on, it is not hooked to an IV line/pole so you have full range of motion, once it is in you wont even know it was there. I was induced (you probably remember my LOOOONG birth) so I was on Pitocin. I only lasted 27 hours on Pit before I asked to have the epi turned on. I am glad I had it placed early though before the contractions really started though.

TheDairyQueenx3 · February 2014

Mine wasn't uncomfortable although It hurt a lot when placing it because he hit a nerve and it burned down my left leg. I didn't feel it when lying down but the tape kept on giving me mini wax jobs if I moved just right and that sucked. I was close enough to delivery where I wasn't walking the halls but I could move where ever I wanted too ( the locked box was attached to my IV pole) it was pretty close to my body though from what I remember. From the time it was placed to the time of delivery was super short and I was sitting on the birthing ball next to my bed or I was in bed so I cant give much advice on how well you can move around since I really didn't. They gave me what he called a bolus dose (spelling?) and that is basically a test dose that wore off within 10 minutes to make sure the meds could get in and the line was place properly. He gave it to me and my bottom half went numb for about 10-12 minutes then wore off and I had full felling once again. He sat with me for the whole delivery just incase he needed to get the drugs in or if those didn't take put me under so either way if an emergency came up he was there to take care of it. I didn't like what the epi did to my singleton ( sleepy, didn't cry at birth, hard time breathing, slowed labor etc) so I opted for this. It gave me peace of mind should I of needed it but it wasn't a burdon during labor. I should say I guess when it was placed it gave me a pressure sensation on my spine and that never went away until they pulled it out. Only thing was I couldn't get in the hot shower or bath because it cant get wet (which was a big part in why I didn't get to birth in the tub). If I missed anything or you have any other questions about it I will try to answer

JessaPrimate · February 2014

Thanks for the info ladies. I had an unmedicated birth with N and was looking for a repeat with #2 when we found out it's twins. I know my OB would prefer I have the epidural in place, but we haven't yet discussed just having it there as an "in-case."

JessaPrimate · February 2014

JodiAriel said:
I had mine placed and then not turned on for 27 hours. It is the tiniest thin tube and they just tape it straight up your back. If it is not on, it is not hooked to an IV line/pole so you have full range of motion, once it is in you wont even know it was there. I was induced (you probably remember my LOOOONG birth) so I was on Pitocin. I only lasted 27 hours on Pit before I asked to have the epi turned on. I am glad I had it placed early though before the contractions really started though.

Jodi, I hope that's sarcasm that you only made it 27 hours on pit bc that's pretty amazing.

dmurrie · February 2014

It's a good idea to have it placed. If there needs to be an emergency c-section, they can get you something even as you're being wheeled into the operating room.

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@mellissalynay90 or others who had epi line placed w/o actual use

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