Birth positions if having an epidural

[Lisamj]

Hi all,

If you have an epidural, is the only option to say on your back after it kicks in? Or could you, for example, kind of be on your knees leaning against a load of pillows, or any other position besides lying your back?

Thanks

L xx

 

[mary70]

its petty much on your back hun as they have to monitor u and u have very little movement, you wouldnt be able the kneel without alot of support

 

[Urchin]

With an epi you generally lose ALL sensation from the waist down. When I had one, my legs would be slipping off the bed and I could literally not do anything about it and had to ask someone else to move me back. Its like being paralysed.
On your back is the only option I think.

 

[lea m]

Sorry to gatecrash lol but Im so glad of that hee hee I want an epi this time (so far) and HATE to have to move while in labour! I think Im odd, I seem to be the opposite of everyone else??

 

[Magic Monkey]

Sorry to gatecrash lol but Im so glad of that hee hee I want an epi this time (so far) and HATE to have to move while in labour! I think Im odd, I seem to be the opposite of everyone else??

No I didn't like moving around before the epi was in and was glad just to be able to lay on my back and relax once it was in! Whenever I am ill, I just want to lie on the bed curled in a ball and that was what I wanted to do in labour - but it hurt too much.

 

[Happybunny]

I had an epi and I could feel my legs. I could have probably got up and walked with assistance, but I was strapped to monitors etc. However, I was able to change position during the pushing. I did most of my pushing kneeling and leaning over the raised end of the bed.
I got out of bed and walked over to an arm chair within an hour of delivery.

 

[lea m]

Sorry to gatecrash lol but Im so glad of that hee hee I want an epi this time (so far) and HATE to have to move while in labour! I think Im odd, I seem to be the opposite of everyone else??

No I didn't like moving around before the epi was in and was glad just to be able to lay on my back and relax once it was in! Whenever I am ill, I just want to lie on the bed curled in a ball and that was what I wanted to do in labour - but it hurt too much.

Ooh same here!! When I had my first, they tried making me move onto my knees and allsorts and I ended up getting so mad! I was like just leave me alone! lol I hate moving haha

 

[Lisamj]

Thanks for your reply ladies. We actually had a ward tour last night and I managed to grab one of the midwives to ask. Thankfully for me the type they offer isn't too strong (she called it semi-mobile) so I'd still be able to turn over if I wanted to (not planning on walking round, just don't want to give birth on my back).

Thanks again!

xxxx

 

[Urchin]

wow you're really lucky I made a thread on mobile epis ages ago and no one had ever been offered anything but the standard kind.

 

[Redshoes]

I would discuss it with your MW because epidurals are quite person specific, what makes one woman completely numb would make another slightly, or just on one side, so its worth reading up on them and like Urchin says, mobile epi's are quite rare, I wasn't offered the option personally, and yes it means on your back is the only position to birth then.

As for how/where you birth, it may be that you have to be on your back or that you find a lesser thought of position as comfy for birthing, just have in your birth plan you wish to have a mobile epidural and be open for things possibly changing, very best wishes