Any moms had an Itrathecal before?

HayleyBug55 · January 2015

Hello, as you all know the reality of soon giving birth is becoming much more apparent here lately. I think I have decided what I'd like to do for labor pain management. I just want to get others experiences with an Itrathecal (the walking epidural). I understand what may work for one may not work for another, but I'd still like to hear other moms,who've had an Itrathecal, experience. TIA

P.s. -if this is one of those dreaded third trimester questions that usually doesn't get good feedback please let me know so I can brace myself!. I asked in spam if it would be stupid to ask this question and didn't get a reply so I just decided to give it a shot. If someone tells me I'll most likely get negative feedback I promise I will not throw a bitch fit. I will accept and move on.

Angeldcf · January 2015

Not a "bad/banned" question. Pros/cons as with anything. My hospital didn't offer it so not much help.

CatLadyTX · January 2015

I think this is a great question, @HayleyBug55‌! Unfortunately, I don't have an answer, but I do not see any reason for this to be flamed. Good luck!

tropicbreeze · January 2015

I've never even heard of it, so I would love to see what experiences were.

usmcwife89 · January 2015

I've heard of the walking epidural and it peaked my interest as well.

hollydenton · January 2015

This was something I was very interested in before we had our birthing class last month. I brought it up during the labor portion and she said my hospital doesn't offer it. She also said it's more of a west coast thing for some reason and she doesn't know of anywhere that uses it in the southeast. Not really sure why that is.

Sorry I'm not much help as far as experience with it. You may want to make sure your hospital offers it though.

Mommalawyer · January 2015

I'm totally following this. I'd love to hear experiences with it.

BeachbrideAK · January 2015

I live in Alaska on an island were epidurals were just introduced in 2014 due to hospital staffing being short therefor intrathecals were the big normal here. I had my first child in 2012 and had an intrathecal.
A Friday morning at 7am I started having contractions 5-7min apart. This lasted until Sunday evening at 5pm when my midwife finally broke my water. I was only dialated to a 4 and it wasn't budging. I got an intrathecal about 6pm that was one spinal injection. This made my lower half pretty numb but not dead feeling. I was able to get a nice two hour rest before I could feel my contractions again. Within those 2hours I went from 4cent. To the nurse not being able to feel my cervics. My Son was born at 11:00pm. By that time the only part of me that was still numb was my whole vigina area which is a pro and cone for trying to mentally figure out were/how to push. I had no problems with my intrathecal and liked having somewhat control over my body. Well as much as you can while in labor. I was able to walk and shower within 2-3hrs after having my son. I am hoping to get an intrathecal with this pregnancy as well.

starrynight1658 · January 2015

When DS was born, it's all that was offered for pain relief at our hospital. My labor was too fast for one unfortunately, but my OB explained that it's designed to take the edge off the pain, not completely block it. It's a one shot deal and can last anywhere from 1-3 hours. He also said not to assume you'll be able to walk with it since it effects everyone differently. Even though my hospital has since started offering epidurals, I plan on an intrathecal if I need some pain relief this time.

ConstanceGoodspeed · January 2015

My hospital offers it, but still confines you to the bed. They said you can roll over on your own and move your legs, and said to think about the feeling you get when your foot falls asleep (you can move it but can't really feel it).

I went med free so I have no personal experience.

ETA: I am in the northeast.

SaraL1175 · January 2015

I had one in 2006 with my first vbac. It definitely took the edge off (I got it after 24 hours unmedicated labor). I was able to rest, but still felt some tightening with contractions (very like Braxton hicks).

I couldn't walk around but I could change positions in bed. I probably could have sat on the birth ball With assistance or done hands knees, but really I just wanted to rest.

When I went through transition I definitely started feeling discomfort, and I certainly felt the urge to push and had very effective pushing.

Edited to add that I had mine in the D.C. suburbs.

Angeldcf · January 2015

You may also have Stadol or Nubain available as some pain-lessening options (my choice this time around).

lotsofdotts · January 2015

Someone asked about this tonight at my birthing class. My hospital doesn't offer them anymore because they say it is too risky. She explained that for a waking epidural, they have to inject some of the pain meds directly into the spinal column and then put the meds into the epidural space. She said that they found that many times it leads to leaking of spinal fluid and the severe headaches that are debilitating and are worse than the contractions. I hope that helps.

HayleyBug55 · January 2015

hollydenton said:
This was something I was very interested in before we had our birthing class last month. I brought it up during the labor portion and she said my hospital doesn't offer it. She also said it's more of a west coast thing for some reason and she doesn't know of anywhere that uses it in the southeast. Not really sure why that is.

Sorry I'm not much help as far as experience with it. You may want to make sure your hospital offers it though.

I just recently asked my OB if the hospital I plan on using offers them and luckily they do. When I asked her how they generally go and if they get good feedback she said they've had maybe a handful of people actually have one in her 23 years of experience.

HayleyBug55 · January 2015

@kcrosem‌ it depends on the hospital. Some don't allow it for legal precautions. You never know how it will affect you so some hospitals rather you stay in bed than risk falling and suing them.

HayleyBug55 · January 2015

Thank you so much to the ladies who replied with your experiences, and the other ladies as well. It sounds like this is exactly what I am looking for. I don't want to be completely dead when it comes to feeling. I just want enough pain relief to knock off the edge amd get some rest. At first I wanted a completely unmediated birth but quickly got real with myself. I do have a high pain tolerance but at the same time I'm a FTM and scared out of my mind. Who knows maybe I'll be lucky and be able to go unmediated but for now I think I'll keep the Itrathecal in mind. Thank you again for the replies. God bless y'all and I pray everyone has an easy enough and healthy labor!

HayleyBug55 · January 2015

Angeldcf said:
You may also have Stadol or Nubain available as some pain-lessening options (my choice this time around).

I am definitely researching these. Never even heard of them. Thank you.

HayleyBug55 · January 2015

lotsofdotts said:
Someone asked about this tonight at my birthing class. My hospital doesn't offer them anymore because they say it is too risky. She explained that for a waking epidural, they have to inject some of the pain meds directly into the spinal column and then put the meds into the epidural space. She said that they found that many times it leads to leaking of spinal fluid and the severe headaches that are debilitating and are worse than the contractions. I hope that helps.

Oh, I do not want that! I've never heard of this happening but I'm about to research! Thank you, it did help. I can't have debilitating headaches while taking care of a newborn.

Angeldcf · January 2015

HayleyBug55 said:

You may also have Stadol or Nubain available as some pain-lessening options (my choice this time around).
I am definitely researching these. Never even heard of them. Thank you.

Stadol, Nubain are some possible IV (or IM) narcotic pain med options to take the edge off. Everyone reacts different though (some are mellow, some feel loopy/out of it or act drunk). They try not to give them too close to delivery (1-2 hrs) as there is a slight risk of fetal respiratory distress. NICU might be in the room if you've received it just in case. Pros/cons to everything.

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