How, exactly, do you move with an epidural? Renowned author, doula, childbirth educator, and birth counselor Penny Simkin, PT, created what she calls the "Rollover" technique shown in the image below to help women stay as mobile as possible during labor with an epidural. The positions used in this technique make use of an adjustable hospital bed and props like pillows and a yoga ball to move your body and open your pelvis, both of which help progression of labor.
Tell us: did you have an epidural? Did anyone help you stay mobile during your birth with an epidural? What made changing positions easier? Did you have a favorite position?
Lamaze Home Contact Us Login. Return to Giving Birth with Confidence. In some cases, you may need an epidural during your birth. You may need an epidural if: Your labor is very long and difficult and you need to rest You have a cesarean Your blood pressure is very high You don't have good labor support Your birth site restricts your ability to find comfort in other ways You can't move beyond your fear of labor pain If you have an epidural, it is important that you keep your body moving as much as possible during labor.
Labor at home as long as possible. Choose your caregiver and birth site carefully. Besides, compared to the pain of contractions , any discomfort from a needle poke is likely to be pretty minimal. A combined spinal-epidural or epidural block are commonly known as a "walking epidural.
Both of these types of epidurals are different from the epidural you would receive during a C-section, which is a much higher dose and doesn't allow for movement of the legs. The anesthesiologist will start you off with a shot of analgesic directly into the spinal fluid to help relieve some pain.
But because the medication is delivered only in the spinal fluid, you'll still be able to feel and use the muscles in your legs. When you need more pain relief, more medication is placed into the epidural space through a catheter inserted at the same time the spinal medication is given. You likely will still have some sensation, but you'll feel removed from it.
One study found that epidurals may up your labor by two hours whether it's your first baby or not. Happily, studies show that an early epidural doesn't increase your risk of C-section. Likewise, the medication can be bumped up post-delivery as your doctor repairs any perineal tears. Should your labor slow at any point, you might receive Pitocin to get your contractions up to speed. The numbness you may feel in your legs can linger until the medication wears off, which is usually within about eight hours.
As the epidural drug kicks in, the medication causes some women experience a decrease in their blood pressure, so yours will be monitored continuously. To counteract any dips in pressure, IV fluids are given and lying on your side may be suggested. Less common epidural side effects include mild back pain, headache, fever or soreness. The opioids in the epidural may cause you to feel itchy which can be taken care of with another medication and, in rare cases, may cause nausea and vomiting. While epidurals are generally extremely effective, some people experience side effects that can include:.
A lower-back tattoo shouldn't stop your anesthesiologist from giving you an epidural during labor. As long as the tattoo ink is dried and the wound is healed, sticking that needle through it won't be risky. Research related to tattoos and epidurals is limited and reports of problems between the two are rare.
If, however, you got a tattoo during pregnancy and the skin is still red and inflamed tattooed skin takes at least two weeks to heal , you may not be able to get an epidural if the art covers your entire lower back. In that case, poking an epidural needle through the skin can boost the chances of an infection, and your anesthesiologist won't want to take that risk.
If you're still unsure about how the anesthesiologist will react to your body art, consult with your practitioner or the hospital before you go into labor so you know whether it will raise any issues. Scoliosis usually does not interfere with an epidural, though it may make it a little more difficult to place the needle, especially if you have a corrective rod low in your spine. An epidural usually takes about minutes to take effect and, because the medication can be continuously administered via the catheter as needed, it can last throughout labor.
So the not-so-great news: sometimes, labor can last a long time. The really great news: so can the pain relief from an epidural. Cons: A few things you may want to consider when making to the decision to get an epidural during labor include:.
Risks and side effects can include maternal hypotension a sudden drop in blood pressure , shivering, nausea, soreness or bruising around the injection site, and, very rarely, permanent nerve damage in the area where the catheter was injected.
According to Dr. And what about epidural effects on baby? Casciano Geneve, one of the biggest benefits of the epidural is that it provides relief for the mother without affecting the baby. I was able to sleep until I was ready to push, and 10 minutes later, she was born! For my second birth, I changed hospitals, and it was a completely different experience.
Once the line was in, I could comfortably lay back and try to sleep as my labor progressed. February 26, Labor and Birth. Here's what to know, from pros and cons to side effects to does it hurt? Babylist editors love baby gear and independently curate their favorite products to share with you. If you buy something through links on our site, Babylist may earn a commission.
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