Walking epi??

I was just reading one of the birth stories and one lady said she was able to have a walking epi..unlike where in some hospitals you are confined to the bed...I didn't even know that was possible..does anyone know if they let you have this at winthrop?

Re: Walking epi??

Excuse me if this is a dumb question, but how would you walk if you can't feel your legs?

Re: Walking epi??

Re: Walking epi??

I don't know ...that's why when I saw her mention that...I was lost... ...but then again, i'm just learning about all of this...so I'm clueless...please enlighten this first timer

Message edited 7/22/2008 4:52:40 PM.

Re: Walking epi??

unless it's a supermild dose and you can still feel a good deal of the contractions

that's the only thing I can think of... never heard of a walking-epi before......

Re: Walking epi??

I found this from a post from '07 and a few others mentioned it too

"Some hospitals offer a "walking epidural", this numbs you in the waist area but you can supposedly still feel your legs. I had the standard...couldn't feel my legs, didn't really care...they kept the epi going through the pushing and just told me when to push. It all depends on your doctor and their preference as well as whether the anesthesia is preventing your labor from progressing or you from pushing adequately.

Everyone's different, but I'd get the epi again in a heartbeat...not only does it numb the pain but it allows you to relax during the labor and reserves your strength for the pushing and spending time with your newborn after delivery. I was in active labor when I got to the hospital and all that lamaze breathing is definitely exhausting!! "

Interesting...I would like to know if I had the option...I'm going to try to google this and see if I get more info...

Re: Walking epi??

ok...this is what I found:

Q. What is the difference between the walking epidural and the regular epidural?

A. The differences lie in both the procedure and the medications used. The walking epidural is a combination of spinal and epidural analgesia. While the medications, often referred to as a cocktail, are a narcotic, a local anesthetic and epinephrine, used in smaller amounts than the regular Epidurals.

Q. If I can walk, what can I feel?

A. The walking epidural is not designed to make you feel deadened. It is designed to provide enough pain relief that you are comfortable and yet still aware of the contractions. So it will not mask extraordinary pain that you and your practioner would need to be aware of.

Q. Can I really walk?

A. This really depends, women receiving the walking epidural will not be able to walk for the following reasons: woman refuses (15-25%), leg weakness (often described as not feeling normal), and maternal hypotension (low blood pressure).

I would also add that some facilities do not allow you to walk with this type of medication for fear of legal ramifications. I do want to point out that if you were 90 years old and had just had hip replacement surgery and this type of medication it would be required for you to walk.

Q. Why would I want to walk in labor?

A. Ambulation and mobility promote contractions and therefore labor, decrease pain, shorten labor, and increase the vaginal delivery rate. I would also point out that having the ability to move is very important to the emotional and mental health of the woman in labor. This type of medication will actually give her more control over her body as opposed to the classic epidural.

Q. Do I have to walk?

A. No, you do not have to walk. However, there are still advantages even if you do not walk. You are still able to move around better in the bed, or get up to the bathroom or chair. This is especially useful in the second stage of labor (pushing) where adopting more upright or squatting positions can help in the birth of your baby.

Q. What about extra interventions or complications from the walking epidural?

A. Every medication that you take will reach the baby and have potential side effects on you, labor and your baby. However, these are actually lessened with the walking epidural compared to the classic epidural. Because you are able to move around we are not finding the increase in cesarean rates that we have previously found with the classic Epidurals.

Q. What if I need more medication or a cesarean birth?

A. The catheter is left in place in your back so that additional medication could be administered for either additional pain relief or a surgical birth. This is the same as the continuous classic epidural.

Q. How commonplace are the walking epidurals? Can I get one in my rural town?

A. This is definitely one to ask your anesthesia department. It may depend on the anesthesiologist on call. You may be able to get them to try the ultra low dose combination if you talk to them before hand and let them do their research as well.

Q. Can my partner or someone stay with me?

A. This is really a matter of hospital policy and/or the anesthesiologist. If it is very important to you, make sure that you discuss this prenatally with the anesthesia department. Also preparing your partner for the procedure would be a good idea.

Re: Walking epi??

i definitely wasn't walking with my epi at Winthrop! glad i had it though!

Re: Walking epi??

It's a different kind of epi. It's administered the same way but it is a narcotic rather than anesthesia. You can still feel things.