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justme 
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 Topic: Epidural less effective now?
Posted: 23 April 2007 at 6:02pm |
hi ladies,
I recently visited a friend who has a baby a few weeks prem. I asked her about the birth. She said that it was not at all what she expected. She told me that with her first baby she had an epidural & the same with the recent one but noticed this time it was alot more painful. She noticed the contractions were brought on by the epidural but she didn't get that numbing feeling around her lower part that the epidural gave her last time.
The labour wasn't as long this time round. So I thought maybe it was because the labour wasn't a long one? - maybe the epidural wasn't in full effect? but I really don't know. She also told me that another friend who just had her 2nd child said she noticed the same thing with the epidural this time.. This kind of worries me.  As she said she anticipated a much less painful birth because the previous one was long drawn out & sounded to me a bit like a breech. For my own interest. I would love to hear if anyone else has heard this or had similar experience. Or maybe knows what may have happened.
Thanks 
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kebakat
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Posted: 23 April 2007 at 6:49pm |
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Sorry I can't really help but it sounds kinda weird? I would have thought that if the epidural was done properly it would always have the same effect
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pepsi
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Posted: 23 April 2007 at 7:04pm |
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The only thing I have heard is that the anesthetist can control the amount of epidural they give in terms of whether you want to be totally numb or still have some sensation. Maybe it was just that they used less the second time for both of your friends?
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yummymummy
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Posted: 23 April 2007 at 7:11pm |
I cant speak from experience but I know from antenatal classes that they used to give a larger doese in the past while nowdays they can control the amount and give you less so you can still feel things and can push when the time is right. Just my 2c worth
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Two Blondinis
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Posted: 23 April 2007 at 7:33pm |
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when I had mine I still had a sensation so that I could still push, then I had to have it topped up for the CS so I was then totally numb from boobs down.
They do give you a dose to take the edge off the pain at first and can top it up as required. Perhaps yor friends both only got a small amount for a reason?
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busymum
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Posted: 23 April 2007 at 8:16pm |
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Epidural can be made in different amounts, like Toni said. Usually the longer your labour, the more it wears off so it does seem strange. It could be that she was given a high dose the first time for some reason, or maybe a lower dose for the second baby. Induced labours are usually more intense and if the labour was super-quick the epi may not have properly kicked in.
I think it's more likely though that they missed the spot and the epidural did not take proper effect. But they do usually ask what your degree of numbness is after giving the epi. Perhjaps she should ask her mw about it - and that will probably help her plan (if there will be) another baby.
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Peace
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Posted: 23 April 2007 at 8:29pm |
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On top of all that great information!
Sometimes epidurals just don't work. I have actually read a couple of birthing stories where the epidural has either not kicked in or kicked in at the wrong time.
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my2angels
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Posted: 23 April 2007 at 8:51pm |
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First time round I felt nothing, no pain at all. Kind of had a twinge when I had a contraction but not painful, ended with a ventouse delivery, didnt feel a thing. Couldnt move my legs at all and had it topped up at some stage I remember that.
Second time round I could move my legs, dont know if i could have stood up or not though but also felt the pain majorly right at the end. The last probably 20 minutes when the contractions were one after the other and felt all the pushing. I only had about 2 hours of it actually working and of that only one side was working for half of it and they came back and adjusted the needle. It was bearable though because it was only the start of the labour and then the last 20 minutes that were painful. Midwife said that if I hadnt of had the epi I would have been through the roof because it all happened so fast and really intense.
But I must say that it wasnt that bad it not being as strong second time round because I wasnt as nervous and scared because I knew what to expect.
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justme
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 5:36pm |
Thank you everyone for your input & helpful advice!
After I had the discussion with my friend and saw how depressed she was. I realised that she was really affected by what had happened. This did freak me out. I have never been through childbirth so always anticipated that it will be very painful by what others have said & also what I have read. She did say this was definitely her last one after this experience.
I am concerned that she now has or is developing PND. All I can do is be there for her & hope she makes it through ok.
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BaAsKa
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 5:50pm |
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I agree with the other ladies - my first thought was that it was either not placed properly or just not as stronger dose
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Kellz
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 6:54pm |
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I have been majorly affected by my birth experience, I wont go into too many details cos I find it hard to talk about and it would put anyone off,..but my epidual didnt work near the end,..I was in extreme agony and the dr didnt believe me cos I had an epidural in. He only realised when I screamed when he started to stitch me up, cos I was talking to DH and didnt know he was about to stitch me.
I wish I had talked to someone "professional" about it. We did talk to our midwife, and did think about making a complaint.
I was ,..and still am so sleep derprived that I find it hard to talk about anything emotional.
I would suggest if she feels up to discussing it then she should get a referral to maternal mental health from GP or maybe plunket.
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justme
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:08pm |
Yes, well I've been thinking that if do lower the dose now maybe they had given her a lower dose of epidural because she's a really small build. Maybe they work it out dosage by your weight?. hmm..
It's scarey to think that maybe they didn't place the epidural properly. 
Well, back to my breathing exercises. Don't want to rely on the epidural to get me through!
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justme
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:23pm |
Thank you kellz,
You poor thing. I appreciate that you shared this. I am really sorry that you had such a traumatic birth experience.
I hope time is helping you heal. 
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fattartsrock
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:33pm |
 Kellz wrote:
I have been majorly affected by my birth experience, I wont go into too many details cos I find it hard to talk about and it would put anyone off,..but my epidual didnt work near the end,..I was in extreme agony and the dr didnt believe me cos I had an epidural in. He only realised when I screamed when he started to stitch me up, cos I was talking to DH and didnt know he was about to stitch me.
I wish I had talked to someone "professional" about it. We did talk to our midwife, and did think about making a complaint.
I was ,..and still am so sleep derprived that I find it hard to talk about anything emotional.
I would suggest if she feels up to discussing it then she should get a referral to maternal mental health from GP or maybe plunket. |
I had a very very similar experience with #1, and it was so traumatic, that I became very depressed during this pregnancy thinking about giving birth, and even worse when they pulled all epidural and non emergency c sections services (I was hoping to have an elective c section as my ewxperience last time was horrid.) Thankfully, this time round, the epidural worked, and I found the whole experience awesome, and no where near as bad as first time. Having said that, all labours and births are different, so having no problems first time dosent always mean #2 or subsequent births will go the same way.
Also, Kelly, I really feel for you chick.
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The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P
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fattartsrock
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 7:35pm |
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Oh yeah, I meant to add, all services were reinstated shortly before I had Charly, much to my relief, although I still was unable to get an eletive c section.
Justme, I hope your friend has been able to talk to someone about her ecperience.
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The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P
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Kellz
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 8:10pm |
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Thanks Annie,..good to know you had a much better experience second time around.
Justme, Im not sure how the epidural dose is calculated, but the anaethetist that puts in it, writes up a prescription for it, with a dosage range, so that it can be increased by the staff if needed. Mine was in for 12 hrs at the same rate, then taken out about an hour after I gave birth.
The coverage of the numbness depends on how it is placed, like sometimes one side is more numb than the other. The midwife has to regularly check where u are numb using ice or cold spray.
I would recommend anyone who needs one ask the anethestsit to explain the risks etc prior to doing it ( they legally have to do this anyway),... but mine just did it,..then after he made a mistake and went in to far, then had to do it again..then he asked for consent.
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Maya
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 8:40pm |
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Hugs Kellz, that sounds awful! You know where to find me if you need to talk about it!
Re: the epidural, I agree with some of the others that it sounds like the epi wasn't sited properly. I had an epi with Maya and I could still feel the contractions and urge to push but not the intense pain of the contractions.
I had a failed epi with the gremlins, it was numb initially after it was first inserted, and my blood pressure dropped dramatically and I got quite nauseous all of which also happened with Maya. I wasn't in labour at this stage, they broke my waters a wee while later and started synto to get labour established.
As soon as I started getting contractions I realised that the epi wasn't working properly (or at all) and I could feel all of the contractions. The m/w offered to get the anaesthetist resite it but I was coping OK and persevered and ended up delivering both babies with no pain relief. On average epi top ups last 1-2 hours, mine was last topped up at 3pm and the gremlins were born at 19.45 and 19.48.
There is an organisation called TABS which has been set up to help women deal with traumatic birth experiences, I can hunt down some contact details for anyone who's interested.
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 Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Kellz
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 8:45pm |
DH would be keen to go to the TAB lol 
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Maya
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 8:54pm |
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LMAO, so would mine. He was telling me all about how he is going to buy some more mussels tomorrow to preserve until I pointed out that the shops are closed. Duh! Men!
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Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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justme
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Posted: 24 April 2007 at 9:23pm |
Yes, thanks fattartsrock, your first birth experience sounded a a tough one too, sorry to hear this. How relieved you must have been with your second birth! I'm really glad second time round was good to you
My friend has spoken to me about her experience & to one other friend. She is normally quite social but alot quieter these days which is why I believe she may have PND. She's very head strong so I'm not sure if I can actually say - do you have this? I think she does & with her personality I'm best not to say anything but just be there for her. Listen & talk with her, visit her & phone her to see that she's doing ok. She hugged me so tightly when I left the other day. I could just feel that she appreciated me coming round
Kellz, thanks, I remember now that I have a pamphlet which mentions talking with your anaesthetist - pamphlet came with my pregnancy info pack from my GP. I must dig it up & read through what it says & hopefully this will help me to be more prepared.
Thanks Maya, your latest birth sounded pretty scarey too! I'm not sure if I would be so brave! Certainly does look as if the epi may not have been sited properly! Pretty scarey thought all the same! . Yes please if you do find the TABS info & it's not a hassle. I'd appreciate the contact details. Maybe we might get to a time where she might accept outside help. Then I would love to be able to help her further.
Thanks everyone, you have all be so helpful!
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Epidural less effective now?
