Mobile Epidurals

[Velvetee]

Whilst watching Portland Babies (again), they mentioned the Mobile Epidural, which is different to a regular Epidural, in that it gives pain relief, but sensation is not completely lost in the pelvic region.

Does anyone know if they offer Mobile Epidurals in NHS hospitals, or is this only administered privately?

[k8bailey]

Hi again! I have a heart condition and was told I had to have an epidural, so I was sent to see an anaesthetist weeks before the big event!

When I asked about mobile epidurals she practically laughed at me! She was a consultant so really did know her stuff, she told me that 'mobile epidurals' rarely worked as intended and it was not an option, but again could vary depending on your area.

If you do want an epidural, mobile or otherwise, I suggest you mention it before you go into labour. There are a lot of horror stories about epidurals but mine was great, needed to be topped up often but worked just fine.

Only bad things about it was needing to be catheterised (not you care at that point anyway!) and not being able to get up for several hours - nearly 24 in my case but that was due to nurses refusing to remove the catheter and help me out of bed because at 7pm, it was too late to be out of bed!!!

[aims1202]

I do know someone who had a mobile epidural in an nhs hospital, but i dont think all hospitals offer it. you would need to ask them before, i have a friend who had a ordinary epidural and it only worked in one side, so she could feel everything in one side and she actually said she was glad about that ( at least she had some feeling) and wished after that she had not had one as it made it so difficult to push. the pain is really your body's way of telling you what to do, if you listen and go with it. i had no pain relief at all for my second baby, it was painful at the end, but a different kind of pain. i totally believe in the power of the mind in getting you through it and coping with it. it was an amazing birth and so much better than my first where i had gas&air and pethidine. the difference was i was fighting the pain first time, second time i went with it kept my mind positive, it really works! good luck

[pinkcowprint]

i had an epidural after nearly 12 hours of labour and it was brilliant,i would reccommend it to anyone,i could still move my legs and had feeling,and could still slightly feel the contractions,more like mild period pain,i didn't have any problems with pushing and if you need stitches they just get on with it while your enjoying your new bundle!!like my midwife said,'it's not like the olden days where you had to put up with the pain,why go through it when we have things to stop it?!'good luck.xx

[aims1202]

if it worked for you thats great but i have to say that having a completely natural birth with no drugs at all was for me an amazing experience. i was on such a high after that i couldnt wait to do it again! as i said before it wasnt really what i would call pain but theres not really anyway of describing it.