Walking Epidural? in Huntsville, AL

[AnnS28]

Hi,

I know this is supposed to be focused on natural child birth, so I apologize in advance for that. Anyone ever had an experience with a walking epidural? What was is like, and did you manage to get to have a non-lying down birth? Anyone know if I can get one in Huntsville, AL?

Thanks,
Ann

[womenswisdom]

Have not had one, but I would suggest you call some local doulas and ask them that question. Every anesthesiologist's "cocktail" for an epidural is different, so you're probably going to have to get lucky, but I would bet the doulas would know which hospitals are more likely to have that option. Good luck!

[AlexisT]

It's a misnomer. I asked about it when I was pregnant because I got sent for an anesthesiology consult. The anaesthetist said "no one walks. If you're lucky you can stand. Usually your legs just turn to jelly." And that was in the UK, where there are fewer liability issues. In the US, most hospitals won't let you walk. Too much risk of you collapsing, and in any case, with an epidural you need continuous fetal monitoring, which usually precludes walking around. You're unlikely to be mobile enough to change positions easily, though it does sometimes happen with a supportive provider (of course, with an unsupportive provider, you'll be giving birth in lithotomy with or without an epidural).

That said, if I needed a labor epidural (which does happen) I would try for the low dose. It's not all it's cracked up to be, but it does mean you're not dead from the chest down and you can feel more. Problem is that you usually don't meet your anesthesiologist until he's about to stick the needle in your back, and you have no idea about his/her preferred style (some love low dose, some want everyone numb to the gills so they never have to do anything else).

[MyFullHouse]

With my first birth, I remember specifically asking my ob about the ability to get a "walking epidural". He acted as though I was silly to think I'd get anything *but. "Of course! That's what we always do," he told me.

HA! 10 hours on my back with a catheter. I haven't had an epidural since (3 more babies and one on the way)!

[chellebee]

I have had one...and I *was* able to walk around. It was very minimal pain relief. It really just took the edge off and made cervical checks more bearable. I was already on continuous, and didn't want to take narcotics and needed some relief (multiple factors going on), so it was the best option at the time. I would be nervous though about someone saying they will do it and then not having the mobility you want since that is the story I most often hear.

[GreenMomPhD]

I don't know if it applies to you or not, but keep in mind that a 'walking epidural' contains narcotics, which can cause nausea. I have had several surgeries where morphine was used and it made me soooo sick. I wanted a natural birth for my first, but after 14 hours and being only at 4cm, I consented to an epidural. I did not even consider any other form of drug based pain relief b/c I knew narcotics would be very bad for me. Why are you interested in the walking epidural, btw?

What hospital are you using? I live in HSV and delivered at Crestwood and will be delivering my second in 5 or so weeks there again. They are more open to your preferences there compared to HSV Hos. I walked around there a lot with no problem. I can tell you more if you are interested!

[S.Elise]

I had a walking epidural, but it was at a hospial outside the US.

In the US, even if you were physically able to walk due to liability concerns you are not permitted to. I also heard that we use different drugs here in the US, which perhaps is the reason why people have worse experiences. Also, in the US I understand that its often a resident that does the epidural...for me it was a very senior doctor.


But just so everyone knows, it IS possible for epidurals to be far more woman-friendly than they are....its just our medical system seems ot have no interest in investing time and money into that goal. I NEVER would have agreed to an epidural here in the USA...which is why I had a totally natural homebirth instead when I got pregnant back at home.

[Kellyh_01]

Some of it is just luck of the draw. Anesthesia affects people differently. Most women have limited movement and are stuck in bed after an epidural. Some feel nothing at all. Others feel the pressure of contractions, but no pain. And I have seen a few who can get up and walk around, go to the bathroom, and remain mobile. We don't do a special technique to place a "walking epidural," but some women end up with one.