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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Epidural question

19 replies

Bluepetra · 01/06/2015 23:31

always been curious to know if anyone else experienced this and why it actually happens.
I had an epidural with my first and it only worked down the right side of my body and not on the left at all. Told my consultant about it and he didn't give me an explanation just said, "Ahh, so you had a himmi"....
Anyone ?

OP posts:

Sansfards · 01/06/2015 23:57

I had that too, no idea there was a name for it. Off to google himmi

Original poster

Bluepetra · 02/06/2015 00:00

I've no idea how you spell it but it sounded like that when he said it to me.

OP posts:

tortoisesarefab · 02/06/2015 00:04

Yep, that happened to me too. I wriggled round a bit and it eventually worked properly so I assumed it had migrated over to one side when it was put in. I gave birth about half an hour after it properly kicked in though, I was just getting ready for a nice sleep!

brimfullofasha · 02/06/2015 00:04

I don't know the name of it but that happened to me too. They kept topping it up to make it work on the left but I ended up with one completely numb leg and one where I could feel everything.

TakesTwoToTango · 02/06/2015 00:21

He maybe said 'hemi' as in half?

Sansfards · 02/06/2015 01:19

I got mine re-done and it worked fine after that. Half an epidural was worse than none at all

Koalafications · 02/06/2015 01:29

How would that work if you were having a c-section?

EllaMenopy · 02/06/2015 02:24

It's not uncommon to have a patchy block, worse on one side- usually the catheter (fine tubing that carries the local anaesthetic) shifts a bit, maybe going down too far or over to one side, or the patient has a bit of fibrous tissue forming a barrier to the flow of the LA fluid. Or if the patient is lying right over on one side for a long time, they can get a more complete (denser) block on one side.

Often these can be fixed by wiggling the catheter around a little bit (repositioning by the anaesthetist- not something a patient should be attempting themselves), or topping the epidural up a bit with more LA fluid. If this doesn't work, they can remove the epidural and reinsert it. If its urgent (emergency caesarean etc), then they might well use a different technique, such as a spinal anaesthetic or even a GA if all else fails.

There's a good explanation here: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2505163/

"Hemi" is probably the word you heard, it means half, although I've always called it a unilateral block (if absolutely no block on one side) or patchy block (the much more common situation of some bits here and there being poorly blocked).

Schoolaroundthecorner · 02/06/2015 04:54

I had a similar experience recently. Epi appeared to work initially but started to wear off on one side. It was topped up but in the end all that happened is I ended up completely numb from my hips down (felt like I was suspended on two huge balloons instead of my bottom!) But I felt everything in terms of cramps across my stomach. Transition was a nightmare (pitocin) and there didn't seem to be anything they could do. I'd very much like to know what on earth went wrong!

HazleNutt · 02/06/2015 09:35

Mine worked by numbing my legs and lower parts, so I didn't feel pushing or stitching, but did absolutely nothing for contractions. Still quite upset, as I ended up laboring on the bed, strapped to all kinds of tubes and monitors, and still in pain.

Original poster

Bluepetra · 02/06/2015 10:26

Makes sense now. Thanks. Although it was an unusual experience and I also couldn't move, felt it may have slowed my labour down too, shan't be doing it again this time.
Any pain relief that doesn't make you nauseous ? Tried gas and air but felt sick with that.

OP posts:

Number3cometome · 02/06/2015 10:43

This happened to me, I have had spinal surgeries.
I ended up with a GA for my EMCS, but that's another story.

DC2 I had a spinal block which worked fine.

I am due in July and will having a GA, i've had a spinal fusion since DC2 so can no longer have an epidural or spinal block.

cheeseandcrackers · 02/06/2015 11:31

Same happened to me, seems to be quite common. It has definitely made me wary of having one again.

januarymum16 · 02/06/2015 12:52

Really good epidural and pain relief in labour info at the obstetric anaesthetics association. 1 in 10 epidurals will need adjusting or reinsertion!
www.oaa-anaes.ac.uk/home

BlinkAndMiss · 02/06/2015 15:28

I didn't experience this, my epidural worked fine but I just wanted to comment about it lengthening labour. My consultant told me it lengthens them, on average, by about 2 hours. Not so much of an issue if it works but terrible if it doesn't.

Original poster

Bluepetra · 02/06/2015 19:21

Interesting. I'm sure it does lengthen labours. I also couldn't feel anything BUT contractions, couldn't even push baby out, was exhausted. Shame really as I bet they're great when they work.

OP posts:

Schoolaroundthecorner · 02/06/2015 21:45

It might be true that they lengthen a normal Labour but as I was induced I'm not sure if that holds true? Certainly the drip made the contractions very strong and I dilated quite quickly, epidural or no. I wonder is it not so much that the epidural in and of itself lengthens Labour but that because you have one you can't move around and be active which is supposed to help things happen more quickly.

Momzilla82 · 02/06/2015 21:55

I've had two. First one only worked down half. They adjusted it and boosted which meant DH had to hold my totally floppy leg up for me to push which meant he saw everything. They also thought they might have to re-site it after someone accidentally disconnected the tube from the bag to my back- so it was pissing all over the floor. Which made it clear why I was not in fact anaesthetised. Second one they had it working too well and it had risen to cover above my belly button and was in danger of compromising my ability to breathe and stuff.
Even given those occasions- it was a very civilised way to give birth. Had a nice nap in the middle of labour. Woke up: they switched the infusion off for me to regain enough feeling to push. Managed that fine both times.

OneFlewOverTheMumsNest · 02/06/2015 22:12

I had a very similar experience with dc1. I was induced. Couldn't take anymore so chose to have an epidural. Only blocked pain down my left side not right.

I actually had an appointment with consultant anaesthetist to discuss it today as dc2 due next week, although it is a different hospital and I am hoping to avoid an Epidural altogether. Was told that if it happens again I should inform them of previous experience and ask for it it to be re-sited either further up or down my back as likely to then work.

Re the c section question, dc1 was an assisted delivery with ventouse - we were both exhausted after an hour of pushing. If it had gone to an emcs it would have been under a general.

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