Ok, so we've all heard the horror stories of bad outcomes from epidurals, and the fact that "natural" childbirth is much healthier for mom and baby has probably been drilled into every nurse (maybe not, but this has been my experience). Then there are those occassions when an epidural is a necessity.
So, I'm just curious: what is your personal opinion of epidurals? Whether you work with laboring moms, or have had a baby yourself, or both. What are some personal opinions about and experiences with epidurals...
My thing is that I want to remain mobile, too. Do many places do "walking epidurals" and is there another name for them?
I just wanted to add that although they are called "walking epidurals" you probably wouln't really be able to walk as you would have an IV and have to be on the fetal monitor. Maybe you could get up and go to the bathroom but changing positions would be pretty limited. Probably much better for pushing though since it is a lighter epidural. Good luck to you!
I just wanted to add that although they are called "walking epidurals" you probably wouln't really be able to walk as you would have an IV and have to be on the fetal monitor. Maybe you could get up and go to the bathroom but changing positions would be pretty limited. Probably much better for pushing though since it is a lighter epidural. Good luck to you!
Does anybody let woman walk the halls anymore? I understand about needing fetal monitoring, but is there a point in labor where it's common to let the woman labor down by walking if they desire?
"Does anybody let woman walk the halls anymore? I understand about needing fetal monitoring, but is there a point in labor where it's common to let the woman labor down by walking if they desire?"
I'm still in nursing school, but at the hospital I did my OB rotation at, they let women in labor walk around in the Mother Baby Unit. They would come back for monitoring intermittantly. We saw one women walk for many hours while we were there! They didn't let women with epidurals walk however.
Personally, I would never ever let anybody stick a needle in my back. Period. My sister is a CRNA and so we're see things differently. As a nurse, I cannot watch the procedure: I stay on the other side of the bed, assisting the mom to hold her position.
In the 70's and 80's I worked in a hospital (300 a month) and we did NO epidurals. The population was prepared for birthing without them and they did just fine. Now that everybody has to have one the second they walk in the door, a part of me is unfulfilled as a labor nurse...There's a lot to do for the epiduralized patient, but I don't find she needs the support that I prided myself in being able to give her.
I'm real close to transitioning myself out of Labor anyway, too much intervention, for dubious reasons, IMHO
Personally, I would never ever let anybody stick a needle in my back. Period. My sister is a CRNA and so we're see things differently. As a nurse, I cannot watch the procedure: I stay on the other side of the bed, assisting the mom to hold her position.
Funny that you say that, cause I feel the same exact way! As a nursing student I observed all kinds of procedures from c-secs to brain surgery. I only came close to passing out twice, and once was watching an epidural being placed! I don't know why, but boy did that bother me to watch!
I guess it's one of the reasons I'm hoping to go epidural free when I deliver in a few months. Also, all of the side effects and the limitations that go along with epidurals, like monitors and IVs.
Someone actually told me once that having the epidural placed "feels good." To each her own.
I believe that if you are able to handle the pain, and the labor isn't too long, natural is best. I had two natural childbirths, the pain was not that bad, and I only had one-two hours of hard labor. For me it was worth it. I really got something out of "toughing it out" (but not everyone does or would) and I felt that not having an epidural and being able to labor standing up and walking around helped speed my labor. It was also great feeling almost normal immediately following childbirth, albeit exhausted. Despite being a nursing student, I really try to avoid any kind of invasive medical intervention if possible. The female body/mind is built to withstand the rigors of childbirth.
That said, if my labors had been long and I had become exhausted and/or unable to handle the discomfort, I would have had an epidural without any guilt. I went into my childbirths with a commitment to natural, but also knowing that drugs were availabe if I wanted or needed them. Childbirth doesn't have to be a one or the other type of deal.
I would definitely attempt natural childbirth again. It was not traumatic and actuallly not all that painful for me (I thought it was going to be like getting kicked in the gut but it was more like really, really bad menstrual cramps).
I guess it's one of the reasons I'm hoping to go epidural free when I deliver in a few months. Also, all of the side effects and the limitations that go along with epidurals, like monitors and IVs.
Now it sounds like you have to be monitored whether or not you have an epidural. I'm just hoping for intermittant monitoring if possible so I can walk around. And yes, I plan to stay at home as long as I can, so long as things are going okay. As for the IV, I am actually going to ask for a continuous IV for maintenance fluids if possible. Dehyrdration is a disgusting feeling, and I know it's not good for my kidneys. I have sensitive teeth so I won't be chewing any ice chips, either. You can walk around just fine with an IV on a pole, I've done it many times
I've had two deliveries with pitocin and continuous IV. I was allowed IFM and I walked, labored in water, did birth ball, rocking chair etc. You can do the ball and sit in rocking chair while being monitored. Depends on the hospital's policy.
My epidurals kept me from bearing weight but I could easily change position. In addition, I could feel everything, it just didn't hurt.
Does anybody let woman walk the halls anymore? I understand about needing fetal monitoring, but is there a point in labor where it's common to let the woman labor down by walking if they desire?
I'm new but I haven't seen a single person walking around yet on our unit (medicated or not). Intermittent might be allowable but I haven't seen anyone ask for it and everyone I've had has been immediately strapped to the monitor and just up to the bathroom. I feel 99% sure that no one on our unit would be walking with pit.
The hospital where I did OB clinicals DID have walkers (and they also had CNM's... I don't know if that was the difference or just coincidence).
The two places where I had my three boys also had walkers (including me) & intermittent monitoring.
I would ask my doctor and someone on the unit about their policy.
Specializes in postpartum, nursery, high risk L&D.
today we were having a discussion about epidurals at work. one of the MD's was talking about how much she loved epidurals, and she said (not jokingly), "I actually almost would like to force my patients to get epidurals. I would just so much rather work with someone who isn't in pain!!" That was a little disturbing to hear.
Oh so sad that you haven't witnessed a momma walking:( With my last there was a student nurse on the floor that walked and walked with me. She was so sweet and knew just when to be quiet and let me breathe. The walking and the conversation really took away from any discomfort that I was having. BTW, she also said that she thought I would make an excellent nurse:) (before I was even thinking about it)
Now it sounds like you have to be monitored whether or not you have an epidural. I'm just hoping for intermittant monitoring if possible so I can walk around. And yes, I plan to stay at home as long as I can, so long as things are going okay. As for the IV, I am actually going to ask for a continuous IV for maintenance fluids if possible. Dehyrdration is a disgusting feeling, and I know it's not good for my kidneys. I have sensitive teeth so I won't be chewing any ice chips, either. You can walk around just fine with an IV on a pole, I've done it many times
At the hospital I delivered at I just ate and drank as I wanted during labor. So much better than an IV:) Dehydration does suck but so does having that needle in your arm and pole to drag around. If you can have ice chips why couldn't you have water? I ate about 2 pounds of Bit O Honeys during my last labor. They just tasted wonderful to me for some reason.
As for the walking comment I made earlier, I was just thinking of women with epidurals. I was allowed to walk feely in labor but I didn't have an epidural. I also requested IFM with doppler so that's what I got. I moved around freely with pit also. The continuous monitoring goes along with the epidural I think.
That was a little disturbing to hear.
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I just wanted to add that although they are called "walking epidurals" you probably wouln't really be able to walk as you would have an IV and have to be on the fetal monitor. Maybe you could get up and go to the bathroom but changing positions would be pretty limited. Probably much better for pushing though since it is a lighter epidural. Good luck to you!