Epidural wearing off??

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Hi guys! I have wondered for some time why my epidural stopped working in the middle of my labor? I got it @ 4cm and it held me for 4 hours, then all of the sudden stopped! When they checked me after I called hollering for more meds I was 8cm and they told me I had all that I could have. So I was wondering, what was that all about? What med is it in the epidural? Lidocaine? Is it a freak ting that happens or did I get the epidural too soon (ha! not soon enough!!) Help me out here....

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am so sorry but we don't know the particulars of your particular case. Please address your questions to your OB/GYN. Take care.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Ok I realize this thread is closed, but wanted to give insight (not medical advice). First of all, are you sure you got an epidural and not an intrathecal or spinal? By that I mean, did they give you a continuous drip IN your EPIDURAL space, or did they give you a "one shot deal" in the intrathecal or spinal space, without a continuing drip of medication to get you through until delivery?

You see, there Is a BIG difference. You need to check it out; if it was an intrathecal/spinal and one-shot, then I can see why it wore off. It was an continuous drip epidural, it should not have worn off until it was turned off. IF it did, then you should have notified staff of the problem, whereby it could have been fixed. Sometimes, by bolusing the epidural with more medication by the CRNA or MDA, sometimes, by giving patients PCEA, whereby they can give themselves small boluses of medication, using a button, like PCA for morphine, etc for post-op pain control.

Also, as you point out, medications that CRNA/MDAs use vary. Some use locals only, others use narcotics like duramorph or fentanyl/sufenta in their concotions. These can have varying degrees of success and length of duration, obviously.

So as you see, there are questions you have to ask. There is a difference among regional anesthestic blocks and how they work, and for how long.

Hope this helps.

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