Has anyone else experienced failed epidurals?

[elm26]

Hi, I’m posting for traffic as I’m becoming increasingly anxious about this.

I gave birth to DD 2 years ago, it was an induction at 38 weeks due to IUGR and my placenta starting to fail.

I was in for week, having dilation rods, pessaries and sweeps then finally on day 6 I was dilated enough for them to break my waters, she was born 39 weeks on the dot weighting 5lb 15oz.

I had an epidural as recommended when they started the drip to medically induce me, it didn’t work so they re-sited it a few hours later, it still didn’t work.

DD was back to back and I gave birth with only gas and air and I was not coping with the pain, it was horrific.

I’m now almost 29 weeks with number 2 and have had a letter to meet with the anaesthetist at 32 weeks. Would this to be discuss my failed epidurals? If anyone has had one and it’s failed, have any of you gone on to have a successful epidural for another birth?

Thanks for reading x

Not for child birth but I had a failed epidural for major surgery recovery. Hardly worked at all

I had an epidural with my first. Think it was 18 hours labour spent lying on my back in the bed and by time the anesthetist came back on check it hadn't worked despite me telling everyone. It was then too late to redo. Had a forceps delivery and stitches..

Second time I knew more and spoke up and stuck to my birth plan. DH was also a strong advocate for me. I spent my labour standing, or kneeling or walking round the delivery room. Only got on the bed to be examined as they refused to do it any other way even though it had been agreed that I wouldn't need to.

Delivered without any pain relief kneeling on the bed. There was no way I was lying down when other ways were proven to provide a faster outcome. It was 16 years ago so don't know if the advice has changed.

I was the same as you, 2 failed. Second child had an elective c section with a spinal. It was a much better experience, recovered well, was out going to the shop by day 3. I lived alone too and definitely managed fine.

5 times they tried and didn’t work, tried spinal, didn’t work. I got IV pain relief I had to press a button for, can’t remember the name of it but it worked.

second time I went for ELCS. They took a long time to get the spinal done, lots of prodding and I was worried but it eventually went in and was fine.

My planned section with an epidural only took on one side - and they only checked the other leg. Once I started squawking (according to the ex, they didn't pay attention until they were already separating my muscles when I got really loud) they hastily slapped a mask on my face and whacked in enough anaesthesia to leave me unable to move for nine hours.

Next birth - there was no way I was going to have a section after that experience and no way I was going back to that hospital - I had an epidural after telling them what had happened the first time round. It worked fine.

It wasn't done in theatre, it was on the delivery unit

I was not planning one but it was Avery long labour Mine only worked on one side .. baby was distressed so was I ! resulting in GA emergency caesarean .. that’s probably the worst story you will hear ! We are all different and it’s down to circumstances at the time .. but I would say yes go for it!

With my daughter , 26 years ago it didn’t take at all. I was gutted at the time but very relieved afterwards as jumped straight up went to the loo and felt right as rain afterwards.
With my first son 3 years later, planned to have one but during labour I felt didn’t need it and then when I decided it was late and he came quite quickly. Again was glad I was mobile afterwards straight away which I appreciated, but I suppose must mean it didn’t really work - hurt like hell too so I guess it didn’t
With my twins, born in Spain, it was never really even discussed as an option. I also knew from the get go, if the birth became tricky a Caesarian would be done under general not an epidural as that’s how they did it there, 20 years ago.
With the other two not having worked I didn’t even consider it

Do you have hyper mobility? That can make them fail.

I’m flexible but not notably bendy as in hyper mobile as such - both my sisters are tho and two of my sons.
is that a reason then ?
I did wonder at the time why didn’t take, but never really asked or looked into it…midwives didn’t seem to think was unusual at the time or refer to it after looking back now ..