Ineffective Epidural for 1St Baby; OK with 2Nd?

A lot depends on the anesthesiologist. Also, many women find a combination spinal/epidural to be more effective, so I would ask if that is something that is available at your hospital.

As for the episiotomy, I would recommend relooking that for the next birth. An episiotomy increases your risk of future pelvic floor problems as well as pain and healing time being increased (studies have shown). A tear occurs along a natural weak spot and heals better and more naturally. I had second degree tears with both of my children and no epidural and didn't feel them at all. Best wishes!

I gave birth to twins 5 months ago. Same thing happened with my epidural (epidural was mandatory in case they had to perform and emergency c-section). After it wore off and the extra dose had worn off as well, they brought in a 2nd anesthesiologist to re-do my epidural. The same exact thing happened again. It was as if I hadn't even had one at all. I was stuck at 8 cm for about 3 hours in intense pain (one of the babies wasn't getting into the right position). SO, they brought in a 3rd anesthesiologist because they had to get something that worked or they would have to put me to sleep in the event of a needed c-section. The 3rd one worked immediately and completely but I then passed out. (Probably due to pre-eclampsia, blood pressure issues, magnesium sulfate, etc etc. I had tons of stuff in my system so I don't think that is really normal). They performed an emergency c-section immediately and we were all okay. My doctor told me that the 3rd epidural was put in a different spot in my spine than the first two and that it would be on my charts for the next time I give birth. She told me the location was what made the difference. And she said that different anesthesiologists may put slightly different medicines in the epidurals. I'm hopeful my next experience will be much better, its encouraging to hear other Moms saying they had effective epidurals after having ineffective ones.

Hi A.,
my first epidural was great,didn't feel a thing,
they thought it slipped,but didn't.
The second didn't work at all, and Nurse from hell didn't wanted to call the doctor,she said it is normal,it's not!!!
The third one 10 years later, worked at first, but then only on one side,he gave me another one and it was perfect.Best birth ever!!!
Please don't be afraid at all.
Good luck Marion

I basically had the same delivery as you did with my first. I was hoping it was just the anesthesiologist, but I don't think it was now. With my second, I had the same thing at first. I had my second at a different hospital than my first (had my second at Good Shepard) and the nurse saw I was in pain and told me I shouldn't be feeling so much pain with the epidural. So, they tried for an hour to get it to work right. Finally, they gave me an option of having a medication through my epidural that would numb me from the neck down. So, I opted for that because I did not want to feel all that pain again. So, the numbing from the neck down worked, but I must admit I did freak out a little bit as it is a weird feeling to not be able to move at all. The stopped the medication right before Is started to push so I could feel a little bit so I could push effectively. It took only about 15 mins. after I had my son to completely wear off. So, I loved it in the end because it was such a nice experience. So, I don't know if everyone is different or not, but my epidural didn't work either time until we went to a different medication.

Hi A.,

My first delivery also sounds just like yours. Might as well not have even had an epidural! Like you, I was really nervous when I had my second baby. But, I'm happy to report the epidural I had the second time around was fabulous! I'm not sure what made the difference. I did tell the anesthesiologist with my second how awful my first one was and he said he would make sure this one was better and he was true to his word - kept checking on it and also gave me some extra medication, just to be sure. So please try not to be too nervous. Just be very vocal with the anesthesiologist about your previous experience & I'm sure he or she will take great care of you. Good luck!

As crazy as this is going to sound... are you Irish or redheaded?

Some people of Irish decent can not handle anesthesia. I know it sounds crazy, but I have had many incidents with Epidoral, novacane, and just simple surgery where I feel things I shouldn't. I need more anesthesia than most. My son who is fair and redheaded is the same way.... had a surgery and was wide awake before they brought him to the recovery room.

I would look into other methods of anesthesia or pain management and not rely on the epidural. Maybe you want to get it, but be ready for a natural delivery.

http://www.asahq.org/news/redheads.htm