Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 9/18/2008

Question
I opted to have epidural to relieve pain at child birth. I had severe convulsions, respiratory insufficiency and I couldn't speak or scream which the anesthetist took as proof that I had no more pain. With hands that had lost control due to convulsions I pointed towards my pelvic area and indicated that there was absolutely no pain relief with the epidural. Waist down I felt everything, waist up I had almost no control. The anethetist and the attending nurse didn't call for the Obstetrician and insited that these were not normal reactions, I was simply having an emotional reaction. It was only after I lost consciousness did they actually believe me. Are these normal reactions to epidural? Would there be any short term or long term side effect for my child?

Answer
Hi Joy
It is difficult to explain how these symptoms came about. These are not normal reactions to an epidural and would be termed 'ideosyncratic'. I can only suspect that the tip of the epidural catheter was inside a blood vessel leading to the local anaesthetic being given intravenously and so leading to the convulsions. However this is just a guess and doesn't really explain everything.
However I can state that this reaction should not in itself have any longterm effects on your child. You don't mention if you had an urgent delivery or if things settled down and you had a normal delivery.
Sorry I can't advise any furhter than this.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson