Walking Epidural Anyone?

I have not heard of the walking epidural. I've had 4 deliveries. All were vaginal. The first two were with epidurals. The first was marvelous. The second did not stop the pain. The last two came so quickly there was no time for an epidural; that was the best. I think the best thing to do is plan on an epidural but hope you won't need it. Every delivery is different. Good luck

Not sure about a walking one, but am definitely a fan of the epidural. Not only did it relieve the pain instantly, but it dialated me from 3-10 cm in 3 1/2 hours because I could relax and nap a little.

There's surprisingly little out there about walking epidurals. I had what I think was a walking epidural with my 8 and 7 yr. olds.(The name of what I got was interthecal Morphine or Fentanyl). It was awesome. It's placed in the spine like an epidural. I was allowed to get up, walk around, shower, etc. Both times, within minutes after getting it, I was pushing. It seemed to relax me enough to dilate that last bit. Now, the other kids were born in MN and my last, born this past April, was here in Ohio. When I requested the ITM or ITF, I was told they didn't think that was a good option. They thought that I would need more pain relief, so were trying to talk me into the epidural. I assured them I knew what I wanted, so they agreed. Again, about 13 minutes after the ITF, I was pushing. Now, some women do need more "hits" to their epidural, so I totally get why they said that. They did leave the catheter in in case I changed my mind. I could still feel the contractions, but just not as intense as active labor. So, it didn't completely take the pain away. I have never had a regular epidural, but for some reason, it freaks me out not having control of my lower body. From what I've heard, you can't really feel anything. I didn't want to not feel anything at all, just wanted to take the edge off. And, as I mentioned, I didn't have to worry about the meds wearing off because I was ready to push so quickly after getting the interthecal meds. You might want to check with your OB/midwife to see if the anesthesiologist will consider the ITM/ITF or if they've had women go that route. I would recommend it if you want the edge taken off. But, if you don't want to feel any of the contractions and such, then the epidural is probably the better choice. I would have been ok with the epidural if the ITF wasn't an option at all. However, I had such wonderful experiences with the ITF that I wanted to stay with what worked for me.

I have always said that I wanted to marry the man who invented the epidural....AHHHHH I had 12 hours of hard labor and then got that wonderful drug. The bad thing about the epidural (at least in my 1 experience) is my labor slowed WAAAAAY down. It slowed down so much that I was in labor for an additional 10 hours and was only at a 6. They ended up taking her C Section because I was in labor for 22 hours. (too hard on the baby) so I would suggest getting the epidural when you are at a 6 or 7. They do not hurt when you get them. You get a burning sensation but then its almost immediate that the pain just drifts off.
Koodoo's to you on the natural birth!! YIKES You are more of a woman than me!! :):)

Good luck and congrats!

I had a "walking epidural" with my son 4 years ago. I got this first in the hopes that I maybe wouldn't have to get a regular epidural and so that I could still move around and not be restricted to the bed. When the anesthesiologist came to give it to me he said "now I just want you to know that I think this is a waste because you are still going to need the regular epidural in about an hour." I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, so I thought I would be fine. Well I didn't listen and I got it anyway. I wish I would have listened. That shot gave me relief for about an hour, just like he said. I also have a reaction to narcotics where I itch really bad when I take them. Well the walking epidural did just that. I was itching so bad I couldn't stand it. I think I made it about 2 hours and then I got the regular epidural. So to answer your question, the walking epidural was a huge waste for me. I know everyone is different but that was my experience.

I actually didn't have an epidural until it was determined that I had to have a c-section. BUT...I wanted to walkas much as possible so I opted for a pain medication called Nubain. It is injected into an IV and works within second but it desnt numb anything and still allows you to walk and feel contractions minus the pain. Iwould recomend it to anyone.

Epidurals have changed alot in the past 5-10 years. I've had an epidural with all 3 of my kiddos (all vaginal births). It used to be a one-time 'shot' type of thing but now they are a constant drip thing. Your doc can control the rate of the flow so you can make it very light and able to move around in bed (but you'll still be attached to the tube/pump) or make it so numbing you won't be able to feel your legs and move at all -- and take an hour or more to wear off after they stop the drip.

With my 1st, I didn't know any better and didn't ask them to turn it down. So numb I couldn't push and it took a long time for it to wear off. Labor took like 12 hours and then took another 3 hours to push him out. :-( With my 2nd, I had it dialed way down so I could still feel the pain but it took the edge off. Being able to move around in bed (be on hands & knees, kneel, squat, etc) was helpful to keep things moving along and the entire thing start to baby out was like 8 hours. The 3rd was same deal... again waited until 3-4 cm dilated and then light dose of epidural... start to finish in 5 hours. With #2 & #3 it had worn off completely so I was walking around within 20-30 minutes of giving birth.

I asked about the walking epidural and none of the docs/nurses at the hospitals I delivered at (3 different ones in 2 different states) used that term anymore. I was told that was an older term used when they gave the shot version -- it was just a lower dose shot that wore off more quickly and wasn't as intense as the normal dose. Also, even with a slower drip most won't let you leave the bed. For insurrance reasons they don't want to risk you walking around... and even with the slow drip I never felt like getting out of bed because you are still numb... and falling. You are also hooked to a monitor most of the time. Especially the first time you get one. I found out the hard way during my 1st that my blood pressure plummets when I get an epidural and need extra fluids through the IV to balance it.

I've never heard of a walking epidural. Is there a particular reason you're considering this instead of a standard epidural? I needed 3 regular epidurals during the birth of my son (labor lasted so long that the first one wore off, and the second didn't take), and I would definitely do it again. My baby was born very healthy and alert, and although I couldn't stand to go to the bathroom for a couple of hours after the birth, who really wants to get up right after giving birth, anyway? ^_^ Good luck.

I just thought I'd tell you that the epidural worked great for me. I actually got up and walked to the bathroom right after they stitched me up. You lose the pain sensation, but it is replaced with the sensation of pressure. I knew everytime I was having a contraction because I could feel a lot of pressure. It almost feels like you are having a huge bowel movement being forced downwards when you have a contraction. So, don't worry about not being able to feel anything.

I have had the epidural with the first two of the three pregancies. I would do it again if I had to. It let me rest prior to pushing. My thrid one was a repeat c-section . Unfortunately I was not able to push my second child out because he was 1 1/2 pounds bigger than my daughter and he got stuck. So I opted to have a repeat with the third.
I will tell you this you will feel very numb even after the birth. But for me that worked to my favor so that I was able to move around and not be in pain.

Unless you have found a hospital that does this, not many will. An epidural is a catheter that is placed in your back and then hooked up to an IV that gives you a constant dose of medication. Yes, it can be turned down lower so your not so numb or it can be turned up to where you feel absolutely nothing. With an epidural you have to monitor your blood pressure the whole time you have it because the meds in it can drop your pressure. So, this is why there really aren't "walking epidurals". If they do this, it's actually not an epidural it's actually a one time shot of medicine they give you in the same area of your back as an epidural that will kind of numb your lower belly so you don't feel contractions, but like I said not many places even do that.