Moms, this question is for you...Walking Epidural?

[Monte Cristo]

My wife is almost 39 weeks pregnant, and when visiting the hospital last week, the nurse told us about a sofenta (sp?) block as another alternative to pain management. She said that the advantage it has over an epidural is that you can walk around with it, and it's a quicker recovery time than the epidural.

Any opinions?

Has anyone heard of this or have used it?



MC


Edited to add: Thanks becka, that does sound like maybe that's what the nurse was referring to....has anyone had this?

 

[EthansMom]

Sorry, I've never heard of it. I did, however, have an epidural with the "pain management" clicker with my second child's birth. Once the epidural was in, I could increase the dosage myself by pushing a button. I felt much more in control and was able to use the least amount of pain medication that I felt was necessary.

Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your baby!

 

[FreshTressa]

Sorry, no help with this, but congratulations!

I wound up having an epidural despite my best efforts.

 

[becka]

I have heard of something called a "walking epidural" that gives you pain meds but still allows you to walk but I don't know anything about it. Maybe that is what they are talking about.

 

[Beth76]

From what I understand (and I could be wrong) a walking epidural is also called a low-dose. I had a low-dose (that's what the hospital called it) with my first son and the only thing that was numb was my contractions. I could feel and move everything else. I didn't walk around at all because I was still hooked up to machines and really didn't feel like walking. But the epidural worked fast. I dilated from 6cm-10cm in an hour after getting the epi. I can't really comment on the recovery because I was given the full dose for delivery.

For my second son, I don't remember what I had. I honestly can't remember if I could still move around or not. I was induced early in the morning and I basically just slept through most of the labor. My recovery was phenomenal with that one. I was feeling almost 100% by the time I left the hospital.

Good luck to your wife and congratulations to both of you!!

 

[Monte Cristo]

Thanks ladies....sounds like something that DW might be interested in. Any other opinions?

Beth- I think she would definitely sign up for the sleep through labor option!! I know I would as I am only getting about 3-4 hours a night NOW. I can only imagine how little I'll get when she does finally get here.

 

[Sandcass]

How about the good old fashion way? Like I did, at home, no drugs?

Try springing that idea on her at this point. Just to see her reaction.

 

[Brianne]

I had a walking epidural with #2---I'm sure this isn't what you or your wife would want to hear but it failed. Completely. I felt everything. But given the difference between a full epidural or none, I chose nothing for the next two & never regretted doing so. Recovery was so much easier---I was up & walking within hours after those 3 births compared to #1.

Good luck to you both--just keep in mind that it doesn't matter how you make the journey. All that matters is the end result.

 

[Steamboat Marti]

The best mom advice I can give is to keep all of your options open! My SIL was adament against any drugs (and that is a fine choice) but once she went through it; she DEMANDED the drugs. Here's the bad part - she felt like she let herself down and her family down by getting the drugs. She was so sure she wanted a natural childbirth. My point - no matter what you choose, please keep an open mind while at the hospital and don't beat yourself up over that choice!

 

[mtemm]

when we went thru childbirth classes 4 years ago we were told about walking epidurals, but were also told that even though they are called that, we weren't allowed to actually walk if we got them. we would be treated the same as a patient who got a regular epidural. Now, this may have just been the policy at our particular hospital, but its something to ask about if she does choose to go that route. I never found out...first because I planned to go drug free, and later because I had an unexpected c-section.

Good luck!!!!