obiwan (obi…@netcom.com) wrote:
: Hi, I read the Epidural FAQ but didn’t find it very helpful in answering
: actual questions about the epidural procedure. What is the actual process
: that occurs to get one? Do they just stick a big ol’ needle in your back
: or what? If there’s a tube in your back, how do you move? Do you have
: to get an IV? How long does the anesthesia last? Can you lie on your
: back or would that mess it up? Does it hurt to get one? Am I asking too
: many questions? 
: —
Hi,
I had an epidural with my first pregnancy. It is funny, my childbirth
educator had three children and experienced both types of delivery,
natural and epidural. Of course, we were all pushing her for information
(we were scared to death, all of us were first timers) and pinned her
down as to her advice on what to do. She hesitated, but said, "I think
you might want an epidural with your first baby, then since the second
one comes sooner, you might want to try it natural." We also had a woman
have her baby early and come into our last class to see us (she had
actually had it the night before) and her first words were, "Take the
epidural!" Well, I’m no fool! When I got to 6 cm and thought I’d scream
if the pain got any harder I said shoot me up! What happens is this: The
anesthesiologist has you sit up and bend over so he/she can look at your
back. Mine gave me a numbing shot first. It felt like a small sting. No
big deal. The only thing I felt after that was some pressure, when he put
the epidural needle in. You do have to be absoutely still when the needle
goes in. He taped it flat on my back and hooked me up to the machine. I
felt nothing. It was recommended that I stay on my side. The pain
vanished and gave me some much needed relief. I was in labor for 24 hours
so I was really tired. The only negative thing I can say about it is that
I should’ve had it turned off sooner. I felt SOOOO good that I couldn’t
feel to push correctly. Since I’d been in labor so long, the doctor used
the vacuum to help me out. My daughter was born healthy and beautiful. My
legs never felt numb or anything, the pain was just gone. No headache or
anything either. With my next pregnancy, I decided I was "tough" so I
tried natural childbirth. I got stuck at 8 cm and thought I was going to
lose my mind. Believe me, those pains you feel at 5 or 6 cm. are
NOTHING compared to the ones at 8 or 9! The doctor thought I’d be stuck
for a while and gave me a shot of demerol right into my vein. (so it
would be gone by the time the baby came). Well, Steven was crowning
within 5 minutes! The shot had apparently relaxed me and he just came
sliding out! That was not good. He was blue and not breathing (the
demerol had affected him, depressed his system) and he had to be
resusitated. He was and is fine, but had a hematoma (a blood filled
bruise) on the side of his head for a month from coming out of the birth
canal so fast. He was lop-sided. I’m trying for my third child. After
having experienced both ways, I’m definitely going for the epidural
again. I respond strongly to drugs anyway (I’m very sensitive) so I’m
going to ask for just enough of an epidural to take most of the edge off,
either that or turn it off a lot sooner. The thought of getting "stuck"
again isn’t appealing! Everyone’s different, I’ve had friends have their
babies in 3 hours naturally with no problem, but for me, the epidural is
the way to go!
Jamie
> Hi, I read the Epidural FAQ but didn’t find it very helpful in answering
> actual questions about the epidural procedure.
Well, I had decided not to have pain medication during my induced
labor(pitocin and mag sulfate due to toxemia) until after 6 hours, I
couldn’t take it any more. I begged for that anesthesiologist to come
back and give me some relief! So an hour later (an eternity!) he showed
up and made my husband leave while he did the procedure. I wasn’t happy
that hubby got kicked out, but it was policy at my hospital. I was out of
it with the pain, but here is what I remember: He gave me a local
anesthetic so that I wouldn’t feel the epidural going in. I couldn’t see
anything he was doing because it was all happening to my back. He put
some kind of template on my back and told me it was very important for me
not to move so I concentrated on not moving while the pain of the
contractions was horrendous. I felt some pushing in my back, it was in,
the med flowed and I could relax again and began to feel a helluva lot
better-you can lay on your back since only a flexible tube carrying the
medicine comes out from your back. They put in a catheter, but you don’t
feel it either. Taking out the epidural was easy as well, since it only
took a few seconds-I was surprised. After all the fear I had from reading
about migraines and my giving myself a hard time about wimping out to get
the medicine, I was sincerely glad that I did it. I had a miserable
birthing experience (babies to the NICU, didn’t see them for a couple of
days because I kept fainting) and found the epidural, ironically, to be
one of the few things that went right.
Maria, mother of Alec and Austin, 5/11/95
obiwan (obi…@netcom.com) wrote:
> Hi, I read the Epidural FAQ but didn’t find it very helpful in answering
> actual questions about the epidural procedure. What is the actual process
> that occurs to get one? Do they just stick a big ol’ needle in your back
> or what? If there’s a tube in your back, how do you move? Do you have
> to get an IV? How long does the anesthesia last? Can you lie on your
> back or would that mess it up? Does it hurt to get one? Am I asking too
> many questions?
Since it happens behind you, I couldn’t see, but basically yes, they
stick a big ol’ needle in your back. The needle is used to put a
catheter in place. The drug is injected into the catheter. The tube is
taped in place so you
can move without dislodging it. I don’t know if you can lie on your
back, but you wouldn’t want to anyway. (Not good for your labor.) There
are two ways of doing the epidural. With a continuous infusion it lasts
until they turn it off. (I don’t know how long it takes to wear off once
they stop.) Mine was a one shot deal. (Repeated once.) Each time, the
significant relief lasted about 2 hours, then gradually began to wear
off. (The first time it wore off, I got another dose. The second time
it was almost time to push anyway, so it was allowed to wear off
completely so I could push easily.)
I did not find the procedure painful. They give you a local
anestetic(basically a shot of novacaine) before putting the catheter in
your back, so all you feel is the initial needle prick. I know that some
people find it very painful though.
Naomi
In article <41diph$…@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu>, naomi pardue writes:
>There
>are two ways of doing the epidural. With a continuous infusion it lasts
>until they turn it off. (I don’t know how long it takes to wear off once
>they stop.) Mine was a one shot deal. (Repeated once.) Each time, the
>significant relief lasted about 2 hours, then gradually began to wear
>off. (The first time it wore off, I got another dose. The second time
>it was almost time to push anyway, so it was allowed to wear off
>completely so I could push easily.)
>I did not find the procedure painful. They give you a local
>anestetic(basically a shot of novacaine) before putting the catheter in
>your back, so all you feel is the initial needle prick. I know that some
>people find it very painful though.
Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that labor
stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up again
when it wears off, but it sounds like yours progressed some while you were
-um- epiduraled? Do you/does anyone have information on this?
obiwan (obi…@netcom.com) wrote:
: Hi, I read the Epidural FAQ but didn’t find it very helpful in answering
: actual questions about the epidural procedure. What is the actual process
There are two main types of epidurals: bouls (single shot that can be
repeated) and continuous. Which one that is used depends on many
factors, includign teh doctors.
: that occurs to get one? Do they just stick a big ol’ needle in your back
First thing they do is give you an IV and then give you 2 liters of fluid
(to try and help with the decreased bp, this also can slow labor because
it increases the blood volume and decreases the concentration of oxytocin
in your blood). You then lie on your side, curled into a ball. The
clean up with betadine (usually cold), numb your back (personally, it
only numbed the skin and wasn’t worth it for me), then they actually take
a large needle and use it to insert a catheter in your epidural space.
You are then given a test dose to see if you’ll have any reactions, then
either a bolus or continuous epidural.
: or what? If there’s a tube in your back, how do you move? Do you have
For the most part you are confined to your back or side from thereon out.
: to get an IV? How long does the anesthesia last? Can you lie on your
Yes, you HAVE to have an IV. How long the anesthesia lasts is dependant
upon the type, the drug, etc. Continuous obviously lasts longer and can
be refilled ebfore teh medication runs out.
: back or would that mess it up? Does it hurt to get one? Am I asking too
You will lie on your back or propped on your side afterwards, it won’t
hurt it. The cathter is very fine and small.
My epidural hurt imennsly. I had good pain relief, but the
administration was the most painful thing I have ever felt. Everyone is
different here. I guess the worst thing is the backaches that I still
have after 4 years.
: many questions?
You can never ask too many questions.
Robin Elise Seibert, ICCE, CD, NACA
P.S. THe walking epidural is just a change inthe type of meds they give
you, rather than just a numbing agent they add narcotics to the medicine
to enhance the effects of the numbing.
: — : * obi…@netcom.com * THE
TRUTH IS OUT THERE * 1313 Harbor
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p…@fred.net wrote:
: I had an epidural with my first pregnancy. It is funny, my childbirth
: educator had three children and experienced both types of delivery,
: natural and epidural. Of course, we were all pushing her for information
: (we were scared to death, all of us were first timers) and pinned her
: down as to her advice on what to do. She hesitated, but said, "I think
: you might want an epidural with your first baby, then since the second
: one comes sooner, you might want to try it natural." We also had a woman
Gee, I am a childbirth educator, and I have done it both ways too. I
think it is wrong of her to say that she thinks you should take the
epidural. My second and natural birth was longer, and much less painful
than everything that I had had done to me out of routine during the first
birth. Using the first birth as a predictor for the second birth just
doesn’t work that way always, you just have to wait and see.
I get really tired of people not supporting those who want to go drug and
intervetion free. I get sick of hearing my clients being told "You’ll
change your mind." What an affirming statement, these women have decided
to have faith in their bodies and strangers and family, etc. try to take
it away.
Sorry to say, but for most people, if you want an epidural it’s easy to
get one and the support for you is there.
WHy don’t we all stop fighting and making this a Starbellied sneetch
fight? Who cares who had needles in thars?
Robin
: Gee, I am a childbirth educator, and I have done it both ways too. I
: think it is wrong of her to say that she thinks you should take the
: epidural. My second and natural birth was longer, and much less painful
: than everything that I had had done to me out of routine during the first
: birth. Using the first birth as a predictor for the second birth just
: doesn’t work that way always, you just have to wait and see.
Hi Robin,
I really don’t think our childbirth educator was "wrong" for telling us
that maybe we should consider an epidural. We DID push her for her honest
opinion. Maybe she realized that most of the class was really chicken and
scared and that it would be best for some of us. She did a great job
teaching and demonstrating natural childbirth to us and I used her
techniques during my first and second labors. No one in the class felt
strongly that they HAD to have a natural birth. The only reason I tried
it the second time was because of the pushing thing the first time
around. I was really sorry, believe me. But that is just me, and everyone
is different. My friend was in the next room having her fifth child. She
had four children with natural childbirth. She told me that she was
"treating" herself with her fifth! She had no problem at all pushing and
said she wished she’d found out about what epidurals can do sooner! Her
husband said he knew when my son was born! I was half crazed with worry
for my baby and freaking out that the nurse didn’t believe me
when I said he was coming NOW. After all, the doctor had just checked me,
pronounced me "still stuck" and had gone down the hall. You should’ve
seen the nurses face when she realized I was right, the baby was almost
out! My mind was clouded by demerol and no one would believe my baby was
about to fall out on the table! I know that this is not a "normal"
delivery without an epidural, but after having experienced it, I THANK my
childbirth instructor for her honesty. Just my opinion.
Jamie
nullv…@nyc.pipeline.com (Julia Hendricks-Mueller) wrote:
>Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that labor
>stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up again
>when it wears off, but it sounds like yours progressed some while you were
>-um- epiduraled? Do you/does anyone have information on this?
As I understand it, labor may slow down or stop with an epidural, depending
on how strong your contractions are to begin with. Pushing is interfered
with, maybe to the point of being completely impossible.
Remember, Bradly books will _tend_ to overstate the risks from interventions,
and Lamaze books will _tend_ to understate them, because of the philosophies
people use to differentiate the two…
nullv…@nyc.pipeline.com (Julia Hendricks-Mueller) wrote:
> Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that labor
> stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up again
> when it wears off, but it sounds like yours progressed some while you were
> -um- epiduraled? Do you/does anyone have information on this?
Most books says that epidurals slows the progress down but for me it
was the opposite. I went from a 1 to 3 in eight hours and the doctor
ordered an epidural and I went from a 3 to 10 in 2 hours. My friend
had the same experience. My epidural was a continuous until they cut
the line after the birth.
jackie
I was induced as my water broke 3.5 weeks early. With contractions comign
every 2 minutes when the epidural was offered I took it. My experience was
similiar to the other women who have responded. The only bad part was it
was still full strength when it came time to push and I couldn’t feel
myself push. Next time (2/96) I hope to still have it but time it better
in regards to the end of labor.
Sonya C.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
p…@fred.net wrote:
> obiwan (obi…@netcom.com) wrote:
> : Hi, I read the Epidural FAQ but didn’t find it very helpful in answering
> : actual questions about the epidural procedure. What is the actual process
> : that occurs to get one? Do they just stick a big ol’ needle in your back
> : or what? If there’s a tube in your back, how do you move? Do you have
> : to get an IV? How long does the anesthesia last? Can you lie on your
> : back or would that mess it up? Does it hurt to get one? Am I asking too
> : many questions?
> : —
> anything either. With my next pregnancy, I decided I was "tough" so I
> tried natural childbirth. I got stuck at 8 cm and thought I was going to
> lose my mind. Believe me, those pains you feel at 5 or 6 cm. are
> NOTHING compared to the ones at 8 or 9! The doctor thought I’d be stuck
> for a while and gave me a shot of demerol right into my vein. (so it
> would be gone by the time the baby came). Well, Steven was crowning
> within 5 minutes!
To clarify one important point here. While the pain at 8 cm. IS often
much worse than at 5-6 (since you’re in transition), if you’ve made it
that far, you probably don’t want to request the epidural at that point
since, under normal circumstances, within a few minutes more it will be
time to push. (By the time the anesteiologist gets there it will
probably be too late!)
Naomi
In article <41diph$…@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu> npar…@ezinfo.ucs.indiana.edu (naomi pardue) writes:
I don’t know if you can lie on your
>back, but you wouldn’t want to anyway. (Not good for your labor.)
I had to have the epidural and stay on my back–no choice, waters ruptured way
ahead of everything else and they were not sure what was going on with the
placenta, so moving around, squatting, was not an option.
My epidural didn’t take and I ended up having to have a C-section with general
anesthesia–not because of fetal distress but because of extreme cephalopelvic
disproportion. Kid STILL has a big head.
Catherine Smith
Mama to Simon, 2/24/94
Julia Hendricks-Mueller (nullv…@nyc.pipeline.com) wrote:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> In article <41diph$…@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu>, naomi pardue writes:
> >There
> >are two ways of doing the epidural. With a continuous infusion it lasts
> >until they turn it off. (I don’t know how long it takes to wear off once
> >they stop.) Mine was a one shot deal. (Repeated once.) Each time, the
> >significant relief lasted about 2 hours, then gradually began to wear
> >off. (The first time it wore off, I got another dose. The second time
> >it was almost time to push anyway, so it was allowed to wear off
> >completely so I could push easily.)
> >I did not find the procedure painful. They give you a local
> >anestetic(basically a shot of novacaine) before putting the catheter in
> >your back, so all you feel is the initial needle prick. I know that some
> >people find it very painful though.
> Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that labor
> stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up again
> when it wears off, but it sounds like yours progressed some while you were
> -um- epiduraled? Do you/does anyone have information on this?
That is very incorrect. In some cases the epidural CAN bring labor to a
screeching halt, but normally labor will continue to progress.
(Sometimes more slowly, in my situation more quickly. [I was so tense
and exhausted after 18 hours that I'd pretty much stopped my own
labor.])
The spinal, which was commonly used in past times DID stop labor, which
meant it could only be used in the pushing stage, and the baby was
pulled out with forceps.
Naomi
nullv…@nyc.pipeline.com (Julia Hendricks-Mueller) wrote:
>Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that labor
>stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up again
>when it wears off, but it sounds like yours progressed some while you were
>-um- epiduraled? Do you/does anyone have information on this?
I was in (heavily induced) labor for nine hours and dilated only to 3 cm. I finally gave in (I’d been hoping not to have to have a =
needle in the back) and chose the epidural over demerol. Within an hour, I was at 7, the epidural was shut off, and in another two h=
ours, I was fully dilated. While the epi didn’t completely "take" — it was more effective on one side than the other — it helped m=
e enormously because I was able to relax and rest and reclaim my sanity.
My doctor told me that in her experience, epidurals often helped labor progress.
In article <41fepm$…@alvin.ach.uams.edu>,
jackie campbell <j…@george.ach.uams.edu> wrote:
>nullv…@nyc.pipeline.com (Julia Hendricks-Mueller) wrote:
>> Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that labor
>> stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up again
>Most books says that epidurals slows the progress down but for me it
>was the opposite. I went from a 1 to 3 in eight hours and the doctor
>ordered an epidural and I went from a 3 to 10 in 2 hours. My friend
>had the same experience. My epidural was a continuous until they cut
>the line after the birth.
Don’t be too sure it was the epidural. In some cases, the relaxation
from an epidural can allow labor to progress better, but the uterine
muscles are also relaxed, which makes for less effective contractions.
This is why pitocin augmentation is often used with epidurals.
It is well known among childbirth professionals that the first 3cm
and the last 4 hours or so to get
are the hardest in that they take longer. Most women take the first
8-12 hours getting to 3 (YMMV
to 10. [this assumes an average 12-15 hour labor - no one woman is
an average!!]
-Sabrina
I know there are many studies out there that say epidurals slow labor but
both of my ob’s said the same thing. In their experience, epidurals
actually speed up labor due to the woman relaxing more. They also shut
off the epidural when you are about 9-10 cm so the patient can help in
pushing. I don’t know from personal experience, just a little anecdotal
addition ( no hard studies here). Judith
: To clarify one important point here. While the pain at 8 cm. IS often
: much worse than at 5-6 (since you’re in transition), if you’ve made it
: that far, you probably don’t want to request the epidural at that point
: since, under normal circumstances, within a few minutes more it will be
: time to push. (By the time the anesteiologist gets there it will
: probably be too late!)
: Naomi
Naomi is right. I was told that after 5-6cm you can’t get an epidural. I
don’t remember it, but my husband said that after I’d been "stuck" at 8
for about an hour and a half, I was asking if they were SURE it was too
late!:-) The first time I had a baby, the nurse clarified that to me when
I got settled into the hospital bed. She said, "Just remember, if you
choose to have an epidural, you must get it by 5-6 cm or you can forget it."
Jamie
Wrenf (wr…@aol.com) wrote:
: I know there are many studies out there that say epidurals slow labor but
: both of my ob’s said the same thing. In their experience, epidurals
: actually speed up labor due to the woman relaxing more. They also shut
: off the epidural when you are about 9-10 cm so the patient can help in
: pushing. I don’t know from personal experience, just a little anecdotal
: addition ( no hard studies here). Judith
This is what happened to me. After being stuck at 8cm for about 5
hours, my doctor suggested an epidural. I was physically and
emotionally exhausted at this point and once I got the epidural I
felt so good that I just keep repeating "I feel wonderful" over and
over. Anyway, I dialated to 10cm in about 15 minutes. The epidural
was then turned off and I pushed for another 45 minutes until my
baby was born.
BTW, I was given pitocin with my epidural to keep the contractions
going.
Melanie Gottwals
Mom to Andrew 5/4/93 and Sarah 2/7/95
: Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that labor
: stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up again
: when it wears off, but it sounds like yours progressed some while you were
: -um- epiduraled? Do you/does anyone have information on this?
Off the top of my head (don’t have much time right now to look into
my nursing textbooks and articles)….NO..labor does NOT stop
progressing. Now, having said that, let me clarify…if an epidural is
given too soon, it can slow labor down to the point the woman is not
progressing. When given at the correct dilation, it _may_ slow labor
down but usually not. Another major concern with epidurals is if it is
still in effect at the time mother needs to push. Since it numbs all
sensation, mother may not be able to push correctly, thus increasing the
amount of time spent pushing and increasing the possibility of further
medical intervention (ie: forceps delivery).
Epidurals are a wonderful pain relief for women who really have
difficulty handling the hard contractions of active labor. However, using
other, noninvasive, relief measures should be tried before epidurals are
considered. Again, it should be the woman’s choice…an informed choice!
mary
I am still confused… Do epidurals (and narcotics for that matter)
slow down labor? A Doula who has seen 300 births told me that it seems
to be a pattern that the drugs are given and then labor slows or stops.
According to my reading, this can lead to a chain reaction of pitocin,
more drugs, vacuum extraction and/or fetal distress and C-Section.
This chain of events is what happened to me the first time, so I would
like to avoid a repeat. The epidural, itself, was a wonderful thing for
me- painless and simple. And it worked! Ever since, however, I have
wondered whether it was partially responsible for the C-Section. (I
also had a big baby with a very big head, so who knows?)
I would appreciate any information, theories, opinions,
whatever….Thanks.
> : Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that
labor
> : stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up
again
> : when it wears off, but it sounds like yours progressed some while you
were
> : -um- epiduraled? Do you/does anyone have information on this?
I must be a weird case-during my induced labor, I didn’t progress for 7-8
hours beyond 1 cm, then after the epidural, I progressed to 9 cm within
1-2 hours. I also relaxed significantly, if that is correlated with
progressing.
Maria, mama to Alec and Austin, 5/1//95
I think part of the problem is that we are all using the term epidural as
if it is a standard drug when in fact it is very dependant on the hospital
and anesthesiologist. There are many combinations of epidurals out there.
Some have higher concentrations of the "numbing" medicine than others
(that’s why you can walk with some), and some have narcotics added ( like
morphine or Demerol, fentanyl). Other variables include if there is a
bolus (bigger dose) given initially and the rate of the infusion. Many
physicians turn off the epidural when mom reaches 9-10 cms so she can feel
enough to assist in pushing. I think some of these reasons explain the
wide variety of stories we’ve heard. Of course patient variability is a
large factor.
I’ve worked at different hospitals through out the country and each
anesthesia dept is different and within the dept there can be big
differences too (due to individual physician preference). Another
difference is who manages the epidural after it is in. Sometimes it is
anesthesia MD or nurse, sometimes the L&D nurse, and sometimes the OB MD
. I guess one of the things I would do to try to clear up some confusion
is ask my OB-MD what the experiences have been at the hospital you are
delivering at. As always ask as many questions as possible- the more you
know the better off you are. Hope this helps a little– Judith
ma…@vixa.voyager.net wrote:
> : Question: In the Bradley book I’ve been reading, they suggest that labor
> : stops progressing when you’re given the epidural, and only starts up again
> : when it wears off, but it sounds like yours progressed some while you were
> : -um- epiduraled? Do you/does anyone have information on this?
> Off the top of my head (don’t have much time right now to look into
> my nursing textbooks and articles)….NO..labor does NOT stop
> progressing. Now, having said that, let me clarify…if an epidural is
> given too soon, it can slow labor down to the point the woman is not
> progressing. When given at the correct dilation, it _may_ slow labor
> down but usually not.
Yes, recent studies have found that if the epidural is given before 4
cm. it greatly increases the risk of c-section, due mostly to stalled
labors. (Can’t remember where I saw that bit of info…)
Generally they are given somewhere between
4 and 7 cm. (Much past 7 and it probably isnt worth the trouble.)
Naomi
FWIW, I had an epidural at 4 cm, then labor stopped for five hours. At
that point, OB broke my water–then I was at 10 cm in 45 minutes! And
without them turning the epidural off, I could still feel enough to push
without feeling the contractions.
It was terrific!
Mary
wr…@aol.com (Wrenf) wrote:
>I think part of the problem is that we are all using the term epidural as
>if it is a standard drug when in fact it is very dependant on the hospital
>and anesthesiologist. There are many combinations of epidurals out there.
>Some have higher concentrations of the "numbing" medicine than others
>(that’s why you can walk with some), and some have narcotics added ( like
Very true, Judith!
The hospital where I work differentiates between epidurals using a
numbing agent such as a novocaine-type medication and "INTRATHECALS"
which uses a narcotic such as morphine or Demoral. With an epidural, the
woman is unable to get up and walk because her entire lower half of the
body is numb. With an intrathecal, using morphine or demoral, there is
pain relief but the woman still has use of lower extremeties, can still
feel the pressure of the contractions, and can still get up and walk
around if she wishes.
Problem with intrathecals are, unfortunately, the side effects. We
have a handout that we give to our parents in our childbirth classes
which explain intrathecals and the side effects: itching, nausea and/or
vomiting, and urinary retention. I don’t know the percentage of women who
experience these side-effects but it must be enough for the handout to
have the side effects written out in BOLD LETTERS!
Mary