Walking epidural

[onthefly]

What's the deal with walking epidurals?
Are they really possible? I've heard talk of them but know of noone who's had one. And midwives have told me it's not really possible.
So how does it work?

[BellyBelly]

Its just low dose epidural. Some will do it, but most wont because the anaethetist has to keep coming in to top it up.

[onthefly]

So how does it work exactly? Is it effective - I thought the point of an aneasthetic in the spine was to remove all sensation.

[allycat06]

From my understanding it's just a lower dose, enough to block pain receptors but doesn't reach the nerves? I've read a lot about them but never actually heard of anyone having one.

[Traveller]

I have no personal experience with them, but have been assured by a few midwives that have seen them in action that they are possible and very helpful. Despite the name, most women will not walk with them, but would be able to go onto a birth ball, or on all fours, and retain the pushing sensation to a greater degree than with a full block. However as Kelly says they are more work for the anaesthetist, and therefore not very common.

[allycat06]

I've heard of ones where the patient can regulate the dose...probably don't exist here though.

[~me~]

I've heard of ones where the patient can regulate the dose...probably don't exist here though.

Yep they do..still like a normal epidural, only difference is you hold the trigger for release of the pain relief and it will only release every 15mins no matter how many times you push the button inbetween
I had it for my last two births..much better than the first full block epidural, I had sensation to push and they also turned it off when I was dialated enough. Recovery felt quicker too.
Talk to your OB on which anaethesist they use and get in touch with them beforehand.

[damprye]

I had a walking epidural

The doctor asked me how the epi was and I told him that I still had some sensation but that it had taken the edge of dramatically. I went from screaming to simple "ows" during contractions and it also stopped my body from bearing down. He asked if I would like a higher dose but I said no because i still wanted to feel my son. It did wear off rather quickly each time but my midwife topped it up for me each time I asked her to.
I did infact get up and walk, it was a long labour and there was no way I wanted a catheter so i had to get up to use the toilet lol.