Allergy to local anaesthetic and childbirth

[Collienova]

I'm hoping someone else might have been in a similar situation....

I am allergic to the -caine family of local anaesthetics and have just found out from my consultant that I will not be able to have ANY local anaesthetic during labour. I am most concerned about having to have an episiotomy to be honest. Has anyone had any experience with this particular problem? Thanks so much in advance!

No personal experience but didn't want your post to go unanswered. If all goes normally there is a high chance that you will get through with no local at all. The chances of having an epis are fairly slim. The main issue would be for the admin. of an epidural or for suturing. I'd recommend you arrange an appointment with the anaesthetist to discuss alternatives/options and to put your mind at rest. Your midwife should be able to arrange this.

Thanks laluna! I had the appointment with the anaesthetist, who told me that there are no alternatives at all (which was a bit of a shock). She referred me back to my midwife and obstetrician to discuss "options".
I've got an appointment on Tuesday - I'll keep this thread updated.
I'm now pushing for a waterbirth to reduce the risk of an episiotomy (suturing) being needed, but my BMI may be a problem....

Absolutely meet with the anaesthetist!

I did not have an episiotomy, but I did require massive internal stitching as DS had his hand to his face during delivery and his nails basically ripped me open (sorry if TMI!). The stitching required multiple doses of local anaesthetic to be even vaguely tolerable - and I consider myself fairly adept at handling pain.

Make sure they have an alternative plan for you...you never know why you may need it! Though I hope very much that you don't!

Oh God...just saw that you had met with them. I am shocked there are no alternatives...hope midwife/consultant has one! x

Be aware - I had a water birth with dc3 but still needed a couple of stitches afterwards. But did not with DC2 who was also a water birth.

DC3 was very quick though - I had been induced and once contractions started it was all over within 2 to 3 hours. He pretty much shot out whereas dc2 was much more controlled. The midwife had a mirror on the bottom of the pool and told me when to push and when to stop and pant.

I had the stitches with local and gas and air.

Thanks everyone! The potential stitching is what worries me as I've read that you don't necessarily feel a cut or tear when it happens because of the 'tension'. I so hope that I don't have to have a cesarean, because they would have to use a general... let's see what the midwife says!

Good luck with it! Just to let you know, I had no local for my episiotomy (didn't hurt at all) and although they gave me some for the stitches it didn't take so I felt every stitch - it hurts but is manageable so unless you need massive amounts of stitches (I had some internal but mostly external) you will be fine.

Hope this isn't a stupid question, but how do you know that you are allergic to all local anaesthetics? Has it been established that you're allergic both to amide types and ester types?