SNHP | Senior Nursing Poster Session (Virtual)
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Nursing
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Nursing
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Neely Chandler, MSN
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation - Murray State Access only
Abstract/Description
Continuous epidurals are standard procedures for women requesting pain relief during labor. The process of receiving a continuous epidural involves urinary catheterization and limited mobility due to motor blockage. Walking epidurals provide an excellent alternative to continuous epidural analgesia that maintains the patient’s independence. Walking epidurals, as seen through combined spinal-epidural analgesia do not compromise motor function. This project aimed to analyze the safety and advantages of walking epidurals in the hopes of developing a walking epidural policy. Research has shown that combined spinal epidurals are a high quality analgesia method, with very few negative sides. In comparison to conventional epidurals they provide faster pain relief, lower pain levels and more spontaneous vaginal deliveries. In addition, the mobility during the first stage of labor allowed by walking epidurals was found to positively impact maternal outcomes. In developing a policy, considerations of safety were made through routine motor function checks. The resulting policy should provide patients with an excellent alternative pain analgesia during labor.
Benefits of a Walking Epidural and Mobility During Labor
Continuous epidurals are standard procedures for women requesting pain relief during labor. The process of receiving a continuous epidural involves urinary catheterization and limited mobility due to motor blockage. Walking epidurals provide an excellent alternative to continuous epidural analgesia that maintains the patient’s independence. Walking epidurals, as seen through combined spinal-epidural analgesia do not compromise motor function. This project aimed to analyze the safety and advantages of walking epidurals in the hopes of developing a walking epidural policy. Research has shown that combined spinal epidurals are a high quality analgesia method, with very few negative sides. In comparison to conventional epidurals they provide faster pain relief, lower pain levels and more spontaneous vaginal deliveries. In addition, the mobility during the first stage of labor allowed by walking epidurals was found to positively impact maternal outcomes. In developing a policy, considerations of safety were made through routine motor function checks. The resulting policy should provide patients with an excellent alternative pain analgesia during labor.