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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Fainting from epidural

7 replies

Summersun91 · 14/04/2025 13:50

Hello

With my first baby I fainted after being given an epidural. Nearly fainted again a
bit later but they reduced the dose. Then was fine for the rest of the labour.

Currently pregnant with my second and wondering about the birth. Does anybody know will I be allowed to have an epidural again? (It is a question I want to ask my consultant but I’ve been chasing an appointment for a month now so I don’t know when I’ll get one).

Has anybody else passed out from the epidural? Not sure how common this is.

Thanks

OP posts:
Longingforspringtime · 14/04/2025 13:53

I’ve never had an epidural, but I faint from local anaesthetics. Tests proved that they lower my blood pressure too much. I expect it is the same for you.

Anonym00se · 14/04/2025 13:55

Yes, blood pressure dropped and I passed out. They couldn’t get it back up so they gave me adrenaline and I was okay after that.

Whatsgoingonherethenagain · 14/04/2025 13:56

Very common. The anaesthetic drops your blood pressure.

I needed to be laid down with my feet elevated, and if fluids on board to stay conscious. I was still very dizzy, shaky and sick and felt like I was about to faint. I had a section though, not sure how doable that is if you are labouring.

Original poster
Summersun91 · 14/04/2025 14:00

Thanks! It is comforting to hear it has happened to others. It was not unsurprising to me as I have also passed out with local
anaesthetics, and I did pre warn them - I had just never heard any labour stories before from other people who have passed out as well.

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 14/04/2025 17:43

it's not that common to actually faint, but it is the reason that we monitor patients' BP once the epidural is in and starting to load up. It may be worth asking to speak to an anaesthetist antenatally (or at least for the obstetricians to speak to an anaesthetist) just to make sure it was just a bit of vasodilatation from the epidural rather than anything more unusual, or indeed anything totally unrelated. If it is anything more complicated then there is time to plan how to manage things this time. (DOI: anaesthetist)

Whatsgoingonherethenagain · 14/04/2025 17:56

Greybeardy · 14/04/2025 17:43

it's not that common to actually faint, but it is the reason that we monitor patients' BP once the epidural is in and starting to load up. It may be worth asking to speak to an anaesthetist antenatally (or at least for the obstetricians to speak to an anaesthetist) just to make sure it was just a bit of vasodilatation from the epidural rather than anything more unusual, or indeed anything totally unrelated. If it is anything more complicated then there is time to plan how to manage things this time. (DOI: anaesthetist)

Agree- if you’ve been chasing your consultant, try another tack and see if you can get in with an anaesthetist.

i saw an anaesthetist before my first birth as I have scoliosis in my lower spine where they’d site the epidural.

they wanted to see me so risks could be managed, examination to see if they could site a spinal or if they’d need to go straight to general etc.

as it turns out it was a good thing as I needed a crash section so they had all the information beforehand to make those very fast decisions.

Original poster
Summersun91 · 14/04/2025 19:55

Thanks both. I actually did try to get an appointment with an anaesthetist in advance last pregnancy (due to previous fainting with local anaesthetics) but they weren’t interested in speaking to me!

But it’s definitely something I will ask about and keep raising so that everyone can be prepared.

OP posts:
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