Epidural that did not work?
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Topic: Epidural that did not work?
Posted By: BeLoved
Subject: Epidural that did not work?
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 8:31pm
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It has obviously been awhile since I gave birth to my DD but ever since that day one thing has bothered/baffled me.......and that is that my epidural never worked.
I was induced due to Gestational Diabetes at 38.4 weeks, I was given a bishops score of 0 on arrival at the hospital and then given the gel and then overnight had contractions on & off but nothing constant although very painful, by the morning things had progressed a little, I went from being not dilated at all to approx 1.5cms (I think) anyway they broke my waters at 9.30am and said it would be approx 12 hours at least. In my family my maternal Grandmother, Mother & Sister all had very quick labours, 6 hours at most and 2 at least, I explained this to the staff and they said "yes but you have been induced and things will be a lot different for you!" Anyway within 1/2 hour of having my waters broken, the contractions were one on top of the other and all of a sudden the staff were in a bit of a panic to get me to the birthing suite. By 11.30ish I was asking for an epidural and the contractions were intense and just coming one after the other not even 20 seconds between. After the epidural was in I had one small numb spot on my back but that was it!!!! I kept saying I wanted to push but was told NO NOT YET!!! My DH & Mum kept saying maybe you should do an internal to check, anyway the MW's got the anesthetist back to fix the epi and I just kept saying I need to push, finally before the anesthetist did anything they checked me out at approx 12.30pm and I was then told you can push with the next contraction and 40 mins later I was holding my DD, so all in all just under a 4 hour labour, so much for the 12 hours!!!! I swear I felt everything apart from a small circular numb feeling area in my back. Well anyway after that novel my question is has anyone else had an epidural not work? For me I feel that next time I would surpass the whole epidural thing as I feel that it never worked and also having to try and sit still (while leaning on one arm as they had destroyed my right arm while attempting 5 times at putting an IV line in and I had no feeling and it was 3 times its normal size - but thats a whole other story!  ) was a total mission with no outcome as such!
Also my SIL & MIL like to point out everytime I see them (once a week) that I had an epidural and therefore put my DD in a spaced out state for 2 weeks due to the choice I made!!!!  and I have no idea what giving birth feels like?????
So sorry for the NOVEL but I had to get that off my chest, thanks for reading! Edited to add: I am guessing that if they had had more time they would have sorted the epidural out? ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:02pm
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What were you like after the birth? Were you able to stand up and walk around? As from my understanding (not ever having one, just from reading and such) The epidural needs sometime to work, so if you were at the pushing stage then you might have had the epidural kick in after youhad actually delivered your DD ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: fallen
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:03pm
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Umm I'm pretty sure epidurals don't transfer though to the baby. All they really are is a local anesthetic injected into the epidural space thus blocking pain signals reaching the brain.
According to the information the anesthetist gave me yesterday unfortunately its a common side effect for them to not always work properly. Not really what I wanted to be reading when I'm having one in less than a week. lol. ------------- |
Posted By: NewPhoenix
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:04pm
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Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:12pm
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Elle I could walk fine after the birth I was up using the bathroom less than 1/2 an hour later and not long after that I had a shower.
Fallen - Sorry you are so right, not what you want to be reading! I agree I was sure I was told they do not affect the baby but my MIL & SIL no more than anyone about everything IYKWIM! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: hannibal
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:13pm
| Oh!!! Sorry mine worked beautifully - I got a top-up quite quickly after the inital as well as I was sore - not realising that I was ready to push! I was induced as well due to high BP and everything went really well - the traumatic thing for me was the drippy thing in my hand and my waters being broken. I'm pretty sure as well that it doesn't transfer to bubs. Did the epidural not get done in time? |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:17pm
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My epidural worked well but even with it topped up, I could still walk (just) to the loo so that's not the best measure.
My sister had nightmares with hers - it only numbed one side and no matter what they tried, they couldn't get it to numb bilaterally. They ended up giving her a somewhat borderline drug through the epidural as there were no other options - that finally worked. Big to your MIL and SIL. Not helpful at all. I think the being spaced out for 2 weeks was probably related to the fact she was a BABY and that's what they do.------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:20pm
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hannibal - thats what I am thinking maybe there was not enough time and also that it just did not really work. My worst parts were the drip in my hand and waters been broken too. They stuffed my hand so badly that it was a mess and really painful for 2 -3 days afterwards, but then I had no grazes, tears or discomfort "down there" so I did not complain LOL! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:21pm
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Ha thanks Flissty yes big to the MIL & SIL I have given up trying to explain to them as far as they are concerned I am totally in the wrong!!! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: Lou1972
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:21pm
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My epidural only worked on one side.It was quite a weird feeling really,but it was better than nothing.
They did keep topping me up,right until just before I had bubs,which they said they dont normally do. I couldn't walk properly for a few hours and bubs was very groggy for a few days which they said was from the epidural.. I would def have another one as I'm a real woos! |
Posted By: AuntieSarah
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:34pm
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Grr at your MIL and SIL too!!
My epi didn't work first time and my midwife had to top it up and it worked after that. Maybe yours would've worked after a top up but obviously you didn't have time for that! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 9:38pm
My first one didn't work at all, my mw didn't realise quite how much it wasn't working until she went to put a catheter in and I said ouch ouch OUCH!  They re-sited it a couple of hours after the first went in and the second one worked fine, so yeah, if they'd had more time with you they probably would have sorted it out.
A close friend recently had her epidural not work at all, and baby got stuck, so they had to give her a general to do the c section, she was quite upset about having everything she didn't want
Blardy syntocinon running contractions together huh - they managed to overstimulate my uterus so I was constantly contracting, unfortunately that contributed to my c section, I'd much rather have had your outcome instead! ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 10:14pm
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One worked and one didn't and neiher of them were "spaced out" lol. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 10:21pm
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Good to hear that it is actually normal for it not to work the first time and I guess if there was more time they could have got it to work.
Funny thing is my DD was not in a spaced out state at all and was very alert from day one holding her head up and all but ended up with the beginning of reflux symptoms in week 3, hence the IL's theory that she "woke up" from the affects of the epidural!!! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: JoJames
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 10:23pm
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What an intense labour you had, and I would just poke your tongue out at your IL"S
Mine worked to get rid of the pain but I could still feel all hideous pressure in my butt (baby turned posterior) and felt like I needed to poo all the time. they topped it up but I was in agony, I could feel the catheter and refused to let them leave it in and the scalp monitor was awful too. I could move my legs the whole time too, but no one would let me stand up. I don't think I would have another one, but my sister had a great experience with her epi. ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 20 August 2009 at 10:26pm
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I had an epidural, and it didnt work very well down my left side, I still felt pain there, but not as bad as when i didnt have the epidural. Then I ended up needing an emergency C Section and they topped up my epi and I was numb as numb can be!
And Caden was not "spaced out", epi's dont effect the baby as its just a local..so I have no idea what your MIL and SIL are on about  Boo to them for trying to make you feel bad! ------------- |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 6:58am
on a side note you married into a family of idiots 
Oh and both mine worked although number two took longer  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 7:44am
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Ha Ha Lilfatty - yeah I think you might be right about the idiots/righteous know it alls! Thank goodness DH is the complete opposite to his mother & sister! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: RBsMama
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 9:45am
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My epi didn't work 100% either. I could feel my contractions around my left hip, but compared to the 30 odd hours of labour at home with no pain relief, it was bliss My MW let the epi wear off quite abit though before it was time to push, so I could "feel" when to push. I had the worst pain in my tailbone area when I was pushing and I swear DS was stuck. He ended up being a forceps delivery, but ob said he didn't have to do much as I was pushing effectively. Rhys was definately not 'drugged' up at all and I had syntocin as well.
Anyhow, your MIL & SIL are talking through holes in their heads. I think they're just jealous cows who are peeved you make your DH so happy and have produced a gorgeous little angel of a daughter!  I know it's hard with them going on at you, but I think they must be miserable with themselves and are trying to make you feel the same.
Hugs to you and Heidi  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 10:46am
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Oooh, I remember that pressure sensation. It totally did my head in - I remember lying there crying from it saying "make it go away". And my lovely MW and anaesthetist tried but there was just no way around the fact that a large baby was gradually making his way down .... ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Katep
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 11:01am
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The dr that did my epi said that they only work 97% of the time...I freaked out thinking that t wasn't going to work for me. I'm pretty sure you would know if it had worked...so maybe it didn't or their wasn't enough time.
MW's have also told me that there are no effects on baby...I don't like your inlaws...how dare they make you feel bad like that! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Mum to the Gorgeous Leah! 7 months |
Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 12:42pm
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I had a patch across my middle by my belly button that I could feel every contractin through but the rest was numb, turns out there was something not completely clicked into place on the drip thing and once that got sorted the pain went almost straight away. (then they told me to start pushing at the next contraction which by then I couldn't feel!) -------------  
 
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 12:49pm
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Maybe your MIL and SIL were thinking of Pethedine which can make a baby drowsy if given close to birth but def not for up to 2 weeks. I have never heard that about an epidural though.
My epidural was classed as the "perfect" epidural. I couldn't feel any pain at all but could feel the pressure of contractions. I could move my legs etc but they wouldn't let me get up and walk. The worse bit for me was getting my waters broken as well! -------------  
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Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 1:53pm
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My epi was half - useful.
It was better than nothing, but I could def. still feel the contractions, even after the 'self administering' dose.  -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 4:07pm
Gosh I could have sworn Id said this comment lol! My MIL and SIL drive me insane too, and I am SO thankful that DH is totally different to them! ------------- |
HeidisMum wrote:Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 5:06pm
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My epi only numbed a tiny bit around my belly button, even after the mw topped it up. I felt every second of my giant child ripping her way out. My mw still never believed me that the epi didn't work. I don't know what she thought I was moaning about during contractions...
I was also induced and had the drip put in minutes before (or was it after...?) the epi. Then I was getting contractions running together, dropped blood pressure, freezing cold shivering. Which mw and anasthesiologist (sp?) said was due to the drip drugs being cold. But I secretly though was transition and I was giggling in my head thinking how clever I am for tricking them all (yes, I had gas). DD was born 2 or 3 hours later. (5 hours before mw had predicted). Yuck. ILs. How stupid to tell you your baby was 'spaced out'. Like all newborns come out dancing and clapping?? -------------   
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Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 6:21pm
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I had the worst experience ever...I had 10 attempts and the last one finally worked (I was already fully dialated by then!) wont go into the gorry horrid details but two anethatists later Ive been told I have to see an anethatitist (sp) before I go into labour next time to get my back checked out before hand cause I had 10 holes in my back at the end of it! pretty scary stuff! and took 5 hours from the time they started to the end of bending forward and staying still while having contractions - not the nicest (they wanted me to have one as I had pre-eclampsia and hypertension) ------------- http://lilypie.com">    [/url]
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 8:10pm
PMSL (and I've had four babies so I mean that literally  )
I had an epi with Maya, it worked beautifully, altho I did have to get it topped up more often than expected. I have similar issues at the dentist tho, I think I'm just a giant sook. With the gremlins, I had a failed epi, as in completely failed. It was sited prior to labour as it was an induced labour and they wanted to control things, and when he did the ice cube test it was all good. But then the contractions started and it became pretty obvious that it hadn't worked. I did get the option to have it resited but I felt like I was coping OK, and so I said no and ended up delivering them both without any pain relief. The anesthatist told me afterwards that I wouldn't be able to have another epidural later on as he'd used the only suitable space in my back (due to scarring from the first one and a back injury). The funny thing is after having Maya, I never wanted to give birth without one, but after having it fail with the gremlins I realised that birthing without one is actually pretty cool. Not that I regret having one with Maya - after 30+ hours of labour I was exhausted! -------------  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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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 21 August 2009 at 8:12pm
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Oh and as for effects on the baby - meh, the gremlins came out screaming and never stopped, definitely not stoned! ------------- 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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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 23 August 2009 at 12:03am
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My friends epidural caused her blood clot .
Which caused her death . ------------- 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 23 August 2009 at 12:12am
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apparently thats very very rare though , and was amplified by the fact she already had quite bad back problems etc . -------------
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Posted By: Blankney94
Date Posted: 23 August 2009 at 12:34am
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Hi - epidural here worked fine - got it because I needed the pain relief and I didn't want too much pethidine - wanted something that wouldn't circulate around my bloodstream and affect the baby - so epi it was. Turned out I needed a CS anyway. Thumbs down to your SIL and MIL - they should be supporting you better than to say things like that. They are actually showing a lack of knowledge there - tell them to check their facts. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Jacobsmumma
Date Posted: 27 August 2009 at 12:21pm
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I had 3 epis - the first two failed and a consultant had to be called in to reinsert it for a 3rd attempt. Had i not been completely buggered I would have said bugger off and went without it, but I ended up having an emergency cs so glad it eventually worked. ------------- 
(9lbs 6ozs) 
(11lbs 4ozs) |
Posted By: Natalie_G
Date Posted: 27 August 2009 at 1:17pm
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My epi worked down one side, I still felt pressure on the other side, then I had a top up and it went all numb and didn't feel anymore pain hehe. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 28 August 2009 at 11:25pm
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My epi worked and it was quick as in within a few minutes and I was super numb.... no way I was getting up and walking around. I put it down to a marvelous anaethitist ( I am in love with him).
On the effects, I was told at antenatal that it does cross over to bubs but in safe amounts.... Jake was quite dopey when born, he cried and everything and had a great AGPAR but was noticeably stoned. Possibly because I think I had a huge dose (plus I was topped up not long before been takent to theatre and they gave me stronger stuff on top of it for the c-section). I could be totally wrong but i thought the only thing that doesnt pass over is the gas..... must dig out those pain relief notes. My sisters epi with her first numbed her tummy but not her VJJ, she would have rather it the other way around she said so didnt bother with number 2. -------------   
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Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 31 August 2009 at 11:19am
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Mine didnt work at all. First time with McKayla they had to do a spinal. Well 6 attempts at two different places they finally did a general for the c-section.
This time around I went in twice to the hospital before my planned date for the c-section. Second time was just hours before I was suppose to come in but was 8 cm. They had to do the epidural anyway before taking me to theatre but I said if it works I will try for natural as his head was presenting really well and his heartrate was perfect. Ha ha ha. Twice she had to do it as the first time she put it in the wrong spot. Second time it went in and she told me with each contraction you will feel it working more and more. I literally told them when will it start working. I didnt feel anything. It happened really fast and my waters broke and I told them my back is hurting way way too much I want my general and c-section. (which I couldnt have as I had bronchitis and would have putten me and Andrew in great danger). Part of me knew it will be too late. Anyway while pushing I remember looking to the side and seeing another midwife coming in to try another epidural pump. When she opened the one up that I had they realised the stupid freaking battery is in the wrong way. So they just disconnected everything. So after all that I never had anything. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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