Has anyone had an epidural NOT work?

Question

I am 34 weeks pregnant and highly considering having an epidural if needed during labor.

I have an extremely high tolerance to medications. In December of 2006, I had back surgery to remove a herniated disk and none of the narcotic pain meds or tranquilizers worked. I was given so much morphine and demerol, it's not even funny. What really doesn't make sense is that I was 95lbs at the time and 5'4"... you'd think anything would knock me out... but not the case.

Has anyone had an epidural and it not work? If so, what happened afterwards? What other methods did you try?

Thanks for your answers in advance!

Answer 1

I had my first with nothing for pain meds. It was doable but as far from enjoyable as possible. I had an epidural with my second and because of the way it was done it only worked on my right side, they did it over and it worked fine. Other than a sore spot in my back where it went in I had no other side effects.

Having the epidural is your personal choice but as the mother of a 16 yr old and a 3 yr old I can tell you that it has no bearing or adverse affect of the kind of mother you are. I will also say that when I was giving birth to my daughter I was focused on only one thing, GET IT OUT. With my son I noticed the tears in my husbands eyes, I felt every contraction with no pain and I pushed far more effectively. After my daughters birth I was exhausted and although tired after my son's birth I was awake and enjoying every moment with my new little one. If I have another baby it won't be a choice, I will have the epidural.

Going natural doesn't make you tough and for me being relaxed and pain free showed me what I missed with my daughters birth.

This is your choice and do what you want.

Answer 2

My wife had the waling epidural done first during the birth of our son and it didn't take. She then had the second one and it worked like a champ. She even fell asleep for a couple hours. She couldn't walk around anymore at that point so she had to stay in bed but she didn't feel the pain anymore. Discuss it with your doctor. An epidural basically numbs the nerve endings surrounding the uterus so it's not like other medications.

Answer 3

A friend of mine had a baby almost 4 weeks ago. She got the epidural when she was 4cm and it didn't take to one side. So she felt everything on the one side and not on the other. You're better off just seeing how things go, rather than deciding now that you want an epidural. You'd be suprised how high your pain tolerance might be. Just leave your options open; I did and didn't have to use anything.

You also risk having headache and back problems.

Answer 4

After having back surgery i wouldn't think that it would be advisable to have an epidural anyway but that's something I'm sure you could query with your midwife.
My mum had an epidural with me and she has suffered with terrible backache for all these years ever since.

I decided not to have one with my first son i just had gas and air and all was fine,i was in agony but still to this day I'm glad i didn't have that epidural.
Its not natural you have to be told when to push ,you could end up having to have the baby suctioned out etc yet if you choose a different pain killer i.e gas and air and pethidine or something then your body Tell's you when to push.
Labour hurts like hell but its an amazing experience and you soon forget any pain you had.

Answer 5

Um with mine they made my fiance (now husband) depart the room. And I needed to hug a nurse that I did not realize for remedy. I wasn't too comfortable approximately it. But oh good. Anyways through that factor I used to be in SOO so much to particularly believe them placing the epidural in.But after supply which used to be at 12:24 they mentioned they might be in in a while to take away the catheter from my again. Well they did not come till approximately 6 within the morning. It used to be totally uncomfortable. And after they took it out it harm worse, or I spotted the agony extra given that I wasnt in exertions anymore =D I suppose the big tape that's for your again is what harm while getting it eliminated. Overall it used to be pleasant regardless that. I obtained my epidural at 6 cm's I consider, and forty five mins after that (which that entire time I used to be capable to nap) I used to be nine one million/two and practically able to give. I keep in mind my hubby calling my dad and mom, who had simply left for McDonalds, to hurry again in any other case they had been going to overlook supply! It appeared find it irresistible helped pace alongside my exertions, however it's going to have simply been twist of fate!

Answer 6

Wow - I am sorry you had that surgery without pain meds!! My epidural worked fantastically with no on-going effects...they just had to give me more than what they initially did...I didn't have a fancy button to push to get a bolus, so I had to keep calling them in. I'd be pretty upset if I went through all that "holding still" and it didn't work though. I'll be reading others answers to hear what happens then. All I know is you just do without....

Answer 7

I had two epidurals while in labor. The first epidural was not in correctly , and actually fell out. The second one took though. I was also given stadol , intravenously for pain... I do not recommend this, I threw up every hour, for the entire day after receiving the stadol.

Answer 8

When considering an epidural, make sure to do research on all aspects, not just whether or not they always work. Check out this website for more info, and pay careful attention to the disadvantages. This is information most doctors and hospitals do not volunteer to their patients, but the website is unbiased as far as whether or not epidurals are good, so you can trust it. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html

Answer 9

My sister had two epidurals during the birth of her first child and neither of them took. She was given staydol to keep her comfortable, but she still felt everything. She had decided that if the epidural didn't take with her second one that she would request a saddle block, but it did take, so I guess maybe her body was different the second time around.

Answer 10

theres no way you can compare a epidural to that seriously you are paralyzed from the waist down lol it makes the pregnancy go a million times smoother trust me it worked wonderful for me