Allergy to plasters - epidural

[Kitty1650]

I have only recently found out I am pregnant for the first time. It was unexpected so along with all my worries of money, fact we live in a tiny open plan one bed that has proved impossible to sell ect, my main fear is I can't stop being scared of the pain in the actual birth, the worry is making me sick. So I would like an epidural, but I am hugely allergic to plasters or adhesives of any form, it doesn't just effect the area where I come into contact with but sometimes my whole body. Is there anything else they can put there that isn't sticky to keep it in place, or must I accept I can't have one? Thanks in advance.

I didn’t have an epidural but had a spinal for a c section. They will have different types of tape and plasters for people who have allergies.
Have you had your booking appointment with the midwife? During that you usually tell them your medical history and they ask if you have any allergies.

Hello, I understand your fear but please try and remind yourself it’s just that - fear, and you have lots of time to sort out the answers.

a hospital will have dressings and tape suitable for those with allergy to plasters - what would they do if you went in after a car accident? As pp said just discuss it with your midwife.

I understand you are actually really scared of the pain, maybe some hypnobirthing sessions might help?

No not yet, we need to decide what hospital to go for as we are in the middle of a few, as a kid I remember the doctors trying special ones on me for allergies but I was still allergic to them so I am not sure I could have them either. I am hoping there is something else they can use instead.

Check out the fear free childbirth podcast/book, that may help with the fear issues

Yes, hospitals have all kinds of ways of dealing with allergies to plaster. I've seen cling film used before!

I didn't even think of hypnobirthing, I will look into that, thank you.

You know I am not sure, I have been lucky I have never needed to go to hospital for anything serious before, I guess I thought they would use then and I would have to suffer with the skin rash they cause.

When I was younger I patch tested a wax strip and my whole body puffed up in a rash and I had to be on steroids ect, so it makes me so nervous

Wow that's so reassuring, thank you, I think cling film would be fine!

I will check the podcast out thank you.

OP I can’t answer with respect of plasters but I have a drug allergy that massively impacts the range of “pregnancy safe” pain relief I can have. I’ve had babies in different hospitals in the UK and each time have had individual appointments with the anesthesiology team to discuss my needs and adapt meds that work for me.

For my first this had to happen on an emergency basis - but that was because I had been hoping for a water birth type experience and ended up needing an EMCS. Even then, they were great re my meds needs! It isn’t a perfect solution (but that’s because a perfect safe solution doesn’t exist for baba or me!) but I’ve always felt heard and they’ve always been willing to try alternatives.

I would recommend discussing your allergy with your midwife and ask if you can try any dressings etc that they suggest in advance. I am also allergic to plasters and when I had an operation I was told by the hospital that they had hypoallergenic dressings that would be fine for me. It turned out that I was also allergic to them but with all the painkillers etc I didn't realise until I'd had a huge adhesive dressing on for almost a day by which time the reaction was pretty severe. I'm not saying this to frighten you more, just to suggest that you ask for an opportunity to try in advance and have a bit more control over your birthing decisions.

I don’t have any advice but I have the same allergy. My midwife has been testing different ‘hypoallergenic’ plasters and tapes, so far I’m allergic to them all but the reaction isn’t quite as bad for some
im worried about needing a c section and having bandages but I hadn’t even thought about an epidural. Please do let me know if you find a solution!