Anyone had mobile epidural and were you really mobile?

[Gemmitygem]

I'm really keen on this idea (first baby due in Oct), because I want to remain as active as possible and not give birth lying down.

Has anyone had the mobile epi, and did you actually still remain mobile/give birth squatting or kneeling? Any advice appreciated!

yes, had two
yes can squat - with help of birth partner and midwife, you can't really trust your legs yourself so you have to be supported

best of luck to you

It depends how long you have it in for, and how many times it is topped up. I had one, and at the beginning I was fairly mobile, but it had to be topped up every hour and after a few hours I could do longer support myself on my legs.

I did have a very long labour though (23 hours) so you might be luckier! Also, I was doing exactly what the midwife said and asking for it to be topped up as soon as I started regaining feeling below the waist - if I'd left it a bit longer between top-ups, it might not have been so strong.

yes, and yes could move my legs. But could also feel the contractions and it wore off totally half way through - the pain when it wore off was much worse than the pain with ds (with no pain relief) I will not do that again!

Hmmm, I had one but tbh I couldn't move around much. I could kind of feel what was going on but still couldn't push that effectively and had ventouse.

Having had 2 subsequent pg without epidural, I'd go without everytime.

Yes, and no. It was 8 years ago though so not sure if they've improved since then.

Could stand with support but couldn't feel to push and had to have ventouse. Wouldn't have one again (in fact had only entonox with dd2 last year).

Had a mobile epi and it was great. Walked all the way through labour, climbed on and off the bed to see if I could get more comfy but couldn't. Tried delivering the baby standing up, but was a bit uncertain about it - felt like the midwife my drop her! - and the climbed on the bed on all fours before flipping over to lie on my back for the last push. Afterwards was able to walk to the loo on my own and the drug wore off within a few hours. If I pinched my thigh, my leg felt like a lump of chicken, but I was very much up and about!

thanks for all your responses!

Sounds great! Think I'll go for it!