Patchy epidural... Why?

[Trazzletoes]

Hi, I dont know whether anyone can help, but I'm 38 weeks with dc2. Dc1's birth was fairly traumatic and I had to gmhave an epidural so they could take blood samples from his head... The epidural was patchy and like the full force of contraction was concentrated in my right hip socket. Im hoping not to need one this time round, but does anyone know whether I will always have patchy epidurals, or whether it was a problem with the drug or administration of it... My midwife doesn't know...

my midwife said that some people the epidural will only work for one side but then when it is topped up you could lie on the side that didnt take the epidural well the first time and gravity would help the epidural get the needed areas.

I dont know though hopefully someone knowledgeable will be along soon

Well, I have had 3 epidurals and each have been different. The first one was great - still felt contractions but no pain, 2nd one didnt really get until it was nearly all over but completely blocked out pain for stitches etc and 3rd one didnt really work at all - cant really remember properly now but think I felt it in some parts and not in others - I do remember keeping saying that I didnt think it was working. If it hadnt been for the first fantastic one I might not have been so impressed - or had so much faith to keep asking for them!! So, I guess I'm saying there is hope for you this time around as they have been different for me

I have had five epidurals (!) but the last two only worked on one side. The Anaesthetist said that if it's only worked on one side in the past, it's more likely to do so in the future, too. But the lying on the side thing may work.

Personally I didn't mind a 'partial' epidural, I used gas and air to take the edge off the remaining pain and it gave me a focus when it was time to push.