Question regarding epis

mysweetpeasWil&Wes wrote: Do you think it depends more on how good the anesthesiologist is OR how your body reacts, when it comes to the effectiveness of an EPI?? I know several people who said their epi never worked and I'm starting to freak out about it!! Could be just how their body reacts, but my sister swears that her anesth. got it in the wrong spot.

My epi with Wil was awesome! I remember the anesth. saying he would put it in for a good 15 hours and my mom kept saying "wow, he's good.". It never wore off, well not until I was ready for it too. And I don't think I ever had to say "I need more". He was always right there and monitering how I was doing.

Here's why I ask: DH's boss' wife just had her baby last Thursday and we saw them at the hospital yesterday. I guess her epi started to work at first, but they gave her a button to push so that SHE could control it herself. Is that common these days? Anyway, I guess she kept feeling it, then not feeling it, then feeling it. She was in labor for 18 grueling hours to only progress to a 7, so she had a cesarean.

Anyhow, I'm giving birth at the same hospital (I didn't have Wil there) and now I'm stressing out that I'm going to have the same problem.

MyLuvBugs replied: I totally shouldn't answer this, but I will anyway.

My dentist and knee surgeon in the past have called me a horse b/c it takes soooooo much anestesia to knock me out. And I'm not really sure why, but it's always been that way. My hubby is twice my size (6'9" & 320lbs) and I have to have more than he does when I get my teeth done.

When it came to my epidural.....I had a nasty anestesiologist. She left me with a leak in my spinal fluid, so that I ended up with an epi-headache the next day. The pain relief also only lasted 2-3 hours instead of the 6-8 they said it would , so my last hour of pushing was oh so much fun

Personally, I think it's both the anestesiologist and your reaction to the meds that matters. If you get a pro, and they listen to you and know your reaction to the meds....you'll be feelin' GREAT!! But if you get someone like I did, that never bothered with speaking with you before hand and doesn't know that your body eats pain relievers like they're candy.....it will suck.

I'm so sorry for your friend. But definately talk with your dr. and the anestesiologist about your options/reactions/etc.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Erica, are you by chance a red head? There have been numerous studies that show that red headed people need more anesthesia by 1/3 to 1/2 than a blond or brunette.
And, sorry, Rae. I didn't have an epi. Didn't want/need one and was adamantly against it. Just my way. I was more scared of the epi needle than I was of labor. But I would assume that it would have to do with both your body and the technique. Ask your doctor if you can possible meet the anesthesiologist before your labor.

mummy2girls replied: I had a epi with all my pregnancies when in labour:)

with Jordan it lasted and i felt nothing when pushing him out and i pushed for a good 2.5 hours:(

With Jenna it started to wear off towards the end so i felt everything... ouch!

So i guess it may depend on the patient..i dunno!

kayla's mama replied: I had an epi. I was on a drip that lasted from 12 in the afternoon to about 10:30. I didn't feel a thing. I didn't even feel contractions. When they came to check me I couldn't believe I went to 10 cm and didn't feel a thing. I pushed for about 20 min. I'm def. doing it again for my next one

mckayleesmom replied: Neither one of my epis worked. I had a c-section with both. With Mckaylee they tried, but it was already an emergency and they knocked me out cold... . With Russell they tried and tried. At first it was working a little and then just stopped at a certain point....the anestesiologist didn't believe me until I told him to look at my feet...because I could not only move them, but feel the blanket on them. He got me so mad because he refused to believe me that I panicked and my blood pressure skyrocketed and they had to knock me out again, but this time was a temporary drug they gave me, I was able to come to in time to here them announce that it was a boy and got to see him...then I passed back out again, but not before they had to up the epi again because I could feel them stitching.

luvmykids replied: For me it depends on the anesthesiologist .... the epi I had with the twins was perfect, with Macie it did nothing at all, absolutely nothing. The guy was a jerk too, he'd wait till I was mid contraction and poke me with a needle and go "I can't believe you feel that, how can you feel that?" and after I delivered he took the shunt out and said "Well it was in right, I don't know what your problem was"

MyLuvBugs replied:
lol Actually no, but I do have natural red highlights in my hair. I guess i'm more of a strawberry blond, but it's turning really auburn the older I get.

How strange that red heads would need more anestesia?? I'll have to ask my SIL...She's WAY redhead.

1lilpeanut2love replied:


I didn't have an epi either. I was too far in my labor process when I got to the hospital. I wanted to have one!! If I have another one I probably won't get it with that one either. I did fine without it. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Erika, I'm actually glad you answered the question...because it really goes to show that it could be BOTH the experience of the anesthesiologist and the way the individual reacts to pain meds. I'm still scared to death...but I suppose I can talk with my doc about it all and see what he says. Maybe I can just explain what I want to the nurses and anesth., plus keep a close eye on them?

Kelly, I wish I were like you, BRAVE, but I'm just not. I truly wish I were though! I don't even think I felt the needle go in though since I was shaking and vomitting at the time. It was smooth sailing from that point and after!

Okay, everybody pray that I get an experienced anesth. who will listen to me and keep that thing UP for a long, long time! THANKS

MyLuvBugs replied: You're so funny Rae. it will be fine. You've done this before, so there's nothing to fear.
Have you thought of creating a "birth plan" for the drs to put in your chart just in case? It just outlines all your wishes/hopes/dreams for your ideal birth experience. Might be helpful, we're trying it ...again. It didn't help last time b/c they didn't bother to READ my chart. But the Midwife and hospital this time are VERY into it, and seem like they will do everything to make sure that we have what we want.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
I wrote one last time and I am not sure sure they even read it. Maybe they did since I had a good experience, but I remember it was either a nurse, or maybe even my doc who was honest and said that they rarely read them. I'll do one just in case though...never hurts!

jacobsmama replied: Rae, I agree with other girls but I wanted to add that I think alot of people aren't well informed about getting and epi and how it works. Usually once they put the needle in it s ran to like an IV bag and based on that they can turn it up or down, so feel more or feel less...KWIM? So the bag can be changed, lets say you labor for 20 hours (as I did) then after 10 hours they may have to change the bag but they can keep it going. I waited until after 16 hours of labor to get epi because I was worried about it wearing off and hurting to get it. And then once I got it things really progressed. So, I was thinking that if you get the epi and it isn't helping and they turn it up and nothing then it is not in place right and the anesthiologist will have to do it again (worse case scenenrio) But If it is in place they can turn it up or down based on you. HTH And if your hospital doesn't do it this way you can ask them to. Just remember ultimately this is your babies BIRTH and you are in charge so you can be FIRM about what you want and the nurses should understand because they would want the best for themselves as well. I know you will be fine. Kristi

MyBrownEyedBoy replied:
Bravery had nothing to do with it. I have a fairly high pain tolerance and a midwife who would do anything for me. She rubbed my feet, my back, helped me change positions, etc. Honestly, Aaron and my mom both were lobbying for me to have an epi, I simply wanted to do it as naturally as possible. I flat out told them it was my choice and to quit giving me grief.

luvmykids replied:
I thought I was a wimp since I'd had an epi the first time, but when it didn't work the second time with Macie I realized that although it hurts ( A LOT!) I found out I could do something I never had given myself credit for, I never in a million years would have thought I could do it without one. Plus I had a lot of people praying for me

But the moral of the story is, you will be great and you don't have to be afraid, whatever happens you will find the strength to deal with it as it happens, and have a healthy new baby as a reward!

coasterqueen replied: I had epi's with both. With Kylie it worked in the sense I didn't feel any pain BUT it stalled my labor and after 40 hours in labor I had to have a c/s. With Megan I was already in labor, farther a long, decided to get the epi and BAM, labor stalled again and I was in labor for 30 hours. So epi's don't help me labor, they hender. I had the push button with both too. I let my epi go w/Megan and then when it was time to push I was in such severe pain they made me wait to push until they put another bolis in then I didn't have pain and they had me push.

PrairieMom replied:
I have to agree with Kelly. I didn't have an epi either, but it was becuase I am a total chicken! I have heard way to many horror stories about the epi's not working properly, or terrible epi headaches afterward, I even know a woman who had her epi placed wrong, and it paralyzed her diaphraghm, leaving her unable to breath.
I don't know if i will have one this time or not, Last time I only labored for 5 hours, so if it goes that well again I won't need one. I'm not ruleing it out, its just going to be a last resort type thing for me.

BAC'sMom replied: I didn’t have an epidural with my DS #1 I waited to long to ask for anything for the pain. I had my first epi after my car accident when I was 22 weeks PG with DD. I broke my leg in 3 places so they gave me an epi before surgeries on leg all 4 times. When it came time to deliver DD I choice to have an epi, delivered her in 4 hours compared to my 29 hours with DS #1. When I delivered DS #2 I choose to have one then too, I delivered him in 4 hours also.

ashtonsmama replied: I didn't have one with Ashton, partly because I couldn't (not enough time to get it working, I was already in active labor), and also because I really wanted to try it without meds. It was EXTREMELY painful (as you all know), but I'm glad I got through it. With this baby, I'm just not sure...we'll see. But can't really answer the question too well, sorry Rae.