"Walking Epidural"??

I talked to my dr. the other day about pain relief during labor. I have chosen that I want to have an epidural at some point, and he said that they have two different types that they use. One is of course the normal epi where you have a iv like tube in your spine, and the other is what he referred to as a walking epi. I had an epi with my first pg, and am all for one this time, but am a little unsure as to how this "walking epidural" works. He said that he would more than likely give me the "walking" one first so that I would be able to get up and walk around. I guess they just inject a small amount of fluid around you spine and it numbs your stomach area & gives your legs a "heavy" feeling, but you are able to get up and move. Having a regular epi the first time, I am not sure how confidant I feel with this procedure. I feel like I would rather just have a regular epi done first so that I don't have to have it done later if the "walking" one doesn't work. Has anyone ever had just the "walking" epi? I am curious how effective it can be, and if it's something I should consider or not. Tell me you stories if you have any! Thanks!!  

It's actually not the pain I am concerned with. I get extremely nauseated with each contraction. It's really not painful at all to get the epi, it's just sucks to have to hold still while they put it in. I was still able to feel a decent amount with my first, it just didn't hurt. I just don't want to have to sit through the dr. giving me a walking epi and then a regular epi if I don't have to. If the walking epi works well, it's not really an issue. That's why I am curious if any one has had one. I did have stadol after I had the baby because I needed stitches, and it worked great!! Thanks for your reply!

i don't have a lot of information for you here as this isn't from personal opinion as i've not given birth yet but i know a fair few amount of people from aunts, cousins, friends, etc who have had a normal epi and a walking epi and every single person i know says the walking epi is absolute rubbish, it's like you've not had any pain relief at all, they always end up wanting the normal epi in the end so from what i can tell it's more or less a waste. is it america you're from? i have no idea how available or popular walking epi's are over there but here in the UK we've had them for years and they're actually so rubbish that alot of places don't even do them anymore. hope that helps lol

xTammi wrote: i don't have a lot of information for you here as this isn't from personal opinion as i've not given birth yet but i know a fair few amount of people from aunts, cousins, friends, etc who have had a normal epi and a walking epi and every single person i know says the walking epi is absolute rubbish, it's like you've not had any pain relief at all, they always end up wanting the normal epi in the end so from what i can tell it's more or less a waste. is it america you're from? i have no idea how available or popular walking epi's are over there but here in the UK we've had them for years and they're actually so rubbish that alot of places don't even do them anymore. hope that helps lol

That was kinda what I was thinking but didn't know if I was thinking on the right track or not. My dr. said that most of the drs. that are on call would give me the walking epi first and see how it goes. But, I would rather just get a regular epi instead of wasting time "hoping" the other one would work. We just recently moved to California from Montana, and I hadn't even heard of a walking epi before now. I just hope I am allowed to basically "veto" them wanting to give me a walking epi first. I have had an extremely rough pregnancy, and just want it to be done with at this point. I want to try to have a fairly relaxing and with minimal pain delivery. Thank you for replying!!