The “Princess and the Pea” Effect of Epidurals
Hello, I’m Heather, I’m a doula, and I love epidurals. Really I do.
Epidural analgesia, a regional pain management tool that many families choose to include as a major part of their birth plan, can provide an immense comfort both physically and emotionally for many when they’re trying to prepare for the unknown stress and physical duress that can come with a labor experience. Especially for first time mothers, the relief that comes from knowing pain management is on board for their birth is a great comfort measure leading up to their experience in labor and delivery.
Once many mothers decide to include an epidural in their plan, and then are ready to receive one, they are no longer prepared to continue to experience discomfort. What many don’t realize is the full effect of an epidural doesn’t completely eliminate some of the intensity of labor.
An epidural is administered through a catheter in the back, and allows for a lessening of the intensity of labor. What an epidural will not take away is the discomfort of pressure as a baby is descending into the pelvis, muscle aches and the accompanying sensations of labor that effect the digestive system, temperature, etc. This realization, as it comes after many moments of discomfort that necessitated the epidural, can be a tough realization.
I call it the “Princess and the Pea” effect.
Once the mental shift has been made to no longer cope with discomfort, that applies to all discomforts, extreme or miniscule, that the laborer is suffering from, and the laboring mother has an immensely difficult time dealing with even the most minor of sensations if she wasn’t expecting to experience them.
I’ve seen women in agony over a leg cramp on an epidural, and I’ve seen temperature fluctuations keep parents awake trying to find the best balance. I’ve seen lumbar support applied with as many pillows as possible, only to need to be removed seconds later. Anesthesiologists called to replace the epidural, and mothers informed that there is no additional medication dosage they can be given.
I’ve had partners drag me into the hallway and ask me why the epidural isn’t working, and what can be done? Have I see this before?
My most recent favorite:
“Is this mother being ‘extra’?”
Nope.
She simply wasn’t prepared to deal with more discomfort. She thought all of this sensation would be erased from the remainder of her labor experience by the magical epidural, and in short, her brain’s inability to process this is leaving her struggling to cope as similarly as she was struggling to cope with active, full blown labor.
Labor doulas love epidurals! They can help allow you to rest - one of their main perks. When you’re not resting and the mind is racing, it’s fighting the whole point of the epidural and the peace it should give in the first place.
So what’s to be done?
During your prenatal visits, our doulas will help mentally and physically prepare you for the sensations and different rigors that come with receiving an epidural. Through this preparation, knowing what to expect can dramatically lessen the struggle to cope with the remainder of the labor experience, provide great comfort to the laborer, and increase the tools available to enjoy the wonderful benefits an epidural gives!
That’s the whole point after all - to enjoy the tools of labor and how they are used to create a wonderful experience for the whole family!
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