If you find that your epidural is not working, do not panic. There are still things that can be done to help relieve pain in labor.
Try Flipping From Side to Side
Sometimes you might have one spot that isn’t quite numb or isn’t as numb as another side. Your labor and delivery nurse can help you move from side to side in an effort to help you get better pain relief from the epidural. In general, a position change may be helpful, even if not side to side. Your labor nurse or anesthesiologist can help you, also ask if a peanut ball might be helpful.
Increase or Change Medication
Your anesthesiologist may decide that you need more of the epidural medication or a different medication. This can be done without redoing the epidural, as the catheter is still in place. This means medication can simply be added or altered with no work or additional pain from a procedure on your part.
Replace the Epidural Catheter
In some cases, the problem may be with the placement of the epidural. Your anesthesiologist can redo the placement of your epidural catheter to give you better pain relief.
Use IV Medications
IV pain medication can be used in conjunction with an epidural. You can ask your nurse what has been ordered as standing orders by your doctor or midwife. These are usually not given very late in labor, so be sure to ask earlier in your labor what is available. They can also be used as temporary relief while the cause of the problems with the epidural is figured out. They are given easily through your IV and take effect fairly quickly, helping you to relax during contractions, but not removing all sensation.
Call on Skills From Your Childbirth Class
When all else fails, you can always fall back on the pain relief skills you learned in childbirth class, particularly relaxation and breathing. Depending on the situation with the epidural, you may or may not be able to change positions. If you have a doula with you, she can help you figure out what are the best methods for use at the time. This would be based on discussions you had had previously before the birth. Talk to your labor and delivery nurse for advice to ask if changing positions would be helpful.
A Word From Verywell
The most important thing to remember, which can be difficult in the throes of labor, is to try to remain calm. There are things that can be done, but a checklist of what-ifs and potential issues should be walked through in a thorough manner to ensure that you get adequate pain relief from the epidural and/or the fix that is put into place.
