Epidurals and birthing positions

[bigpreggybelly]

I'm wondering what positions you can realistically achieve for labour if you have an epidural.

Is it possible to move around at all or are you totally bed-confined once the epidural has taken??

I think it depends on the type of epidural. I had a mobile one and gave birth in the squatting position. Was completely mobile throughout and walked out of the delivery room an hour later carrying DS.

You can move a bit on the bed- but you're hooked up to monitors so cant really move very much at all.

I couldn't really move as I was all hooked up to monitors, but to be honest I was so comfy I didn't care. Had two relatively speedy labours with epidurals - seven-and-a-half hours and five-and-a-half hours respectively, was up an about soon afterwards and felt fabulous.

if it is a regular epidural- yes, you are confined to bed (you can fall if you try to stand up because you have no control of your legs). you can try moving about from side to side in bed but that's pretty much it. there is a "walkin" epidural which enables more positions (I don't like it, however...)

Can I ask why not Shiri? I loved my mobile epidural and can't think of any downsides so I'd be really curious to hear....

well, firstly there were cases of women hurting themselves because they had their limbs in an awkward position, but couldn't feel it hurting d/t the epidural.
and secondly- well, maybe it's only me, but since It is slightly more technically involved than an epidural without a spinal component (unlike "regular" epidural)- more room for error...

of course it is better in the sense of being able to move and be active during birth.

Fair enough (although I really could feel all of my limbs!). I'm due again in three days time and have a feeling that I'll be opting for one again!

don't get me wrong-I think it can be great when done properly (and better for labour than "regular" epi, that's for sure!). good luck with birth!!