Does an epidural take away all the pain while pushing during childbirth?

Lucy - posted on 05/03/2010

I don't know how I could have had my baby without an epidural! The doctor had to tell me when to push because I couldn't feel the contractions, but I definitely felt the pressure when he was almost out. Once the epidural wore off, I definitely felt the stitches from my episiotomy :(

Katka - posted on 05/03/2010

I had an epidural with my first one and went without it with my second so can compare and would certainly go for the epidural! Id does take all pain away, welll it did for me anyway!

Carlene - posted on 05/03/2010

I had an epidural with my first child and after it kicked in I didn't feel a thing. I didn't know when to push, they had to tell me to push. But with my next two they didn't get me an epidural fast enough and I sure knew when I needed to push. They would tell me to not push.... I've been trying to decide if I will get one with my next kid. I already know that I can survive without one so I don't know if I want to waste the money.

Haley - posted on 05/03/2010

It worked for me but started to wear off in the middle of the pushing phase. I felt everything at the end. It was only 30 minutes or so of bad pain then she came out! What a relief. Don't be scared to get the epidural. I wasn't going to get one either, but I had to have pitocin in my IV to make me contract. The pain got too unbearable around 7 cm. That's when I got the epidural. The hardest part of the epidural was being still during the contractions so the doctor could place the needle. I just closed my eyes and before I knew it, it was in. It was way worth it. I had about 3 hours of bliss before I had to start pushing. I couldn't feel anything for over an hour, but then started feeling lots of pressure/pain. I've heard from other moms that it worked really well for them, and others said it only numbed half their body and not the other half. It's your decision, but if you want a pain free labor, it's the way to go.

Veronica - posted on 05/03/2010

Just curious what makes you want to use the epidural after having the 4 naturally? There are definite advantages to having the kids naturally, and if you have been able to do it 4 times already, you know you can do it. I don't know anything about the experience of having them with and epidural, since I had both of mine naturally, too.

Emily - posted on 05/03/2010

Well, from my experience with my first, as soon as they broke my water I was screaming for an Epi. They gave me a "walking Epi" which is half the dose, so it took away the pain but I could still feel my legs and could walk to the bathroom if needed. After some complications that had nothing to do with the Epi, I had to have an emergency c-section. They came in and put the full dose of the Epi and I went to the OR to have my son. So for me, a full dose meant I couldn't feel ANY pain, but I could feel them pulling my baby out.

When I had my second baby, I had a planned c-section and they gave me a spinal. Very big difference! I couldn't feel anything period. But with a spinal I didn't like the feeling of the injection, and the pins and needles feeling as the medicine wore on and off. An Epi compared to a spinal is a very tame experience.

I hope I helped. If I was able to have more children with an Epi I would!

Tara - posted on 05/03/2010

I had one and it did nothing for the pain. It did however make my legs numb so my husband and mother had to hold my legs for me while I was pushing. But that doesnt always happen. I have a friend who it worked wonderfully for and she actually straightened her hair during the whole labor process. But the epidural is really not that scary, nothing compared to the pain of the contractions!

Candace - posted on 05/03/2010

I didnt feel any of the contraction pains. i didnt get a episiotomy though. so i tore but i didnt feel that either. just felt the pressure from the baby when it was time to push. it was a great experience. Just because i got to relax and enjoy the thought of having a baby without the pain. i recommend the epidural. =)

Tia - posted on 05/03/2010

I didnt feel the contractions, the doc cutting my V___a or pushing out my son but i still had some back pain! Child birth comes with pain naturally so dont believe what u see on tv!! it doesnt work instantly and the anestesiologist doesnt run to your room when u ask for it, u have to wait like everybody else which i found out lol. But overall its an amazing experience...

Michelle - posted on 05/03/2010

Oh and i had control of the amount i had, they gave me a button to press to dose myself. I didnt go overboard with it had just enough to take away the pain but could still move my legs although they felt like lead weights.

Michelle - posted on 05/03/2010

i loved mine it worked like a dream. I felt no pain whatsoever, but could still feel my baby inside of me. It only took 10 mins and three or four pushes to get her out. She was my first and i wasnt sure about an epidural either but now ive had one i am def having one with my next, it was a wonderful experience.

Kaitlynn - posted on 05/03/2010

The epidural is not meant to take away the pain of the child birth (the burning the stinging and the pressure) It is meant to take the pain of the contractions or any other discomfort away. Most times they will give you your second dose of the epidural before you start delivering however in most cases the delivery starts before the time you get your second dose.
When they give you the epidural you whole body goes numb. They test the numbness with their fingers and an ice cube. In my case i was a level 7 which meant it really worked, as time went on because they did not rotate me enough one side of my body stayed at 7 and the other side was at 4. They need your whole body to be at level 4 before they can give you the second dose.
I recommend the epidural if you have really bad back labor. But not to see if it will get rid of the discomfort of the delivery.

Bonnie - posted on 05/03/2010

i went natural with my son up to 7 centimeters and then they had to give me 4 epidurals before it took and it didn't kill all the pain but it was much easier. if you are worried about getting it done just make sure the anistiologist does it not the doctor, that is why i had 4 done. the pain level was minimal and after it kicked in i was very glad i did it.

Kari - posted on 05/03/2010

I totally would recommend the epidural. I was in labor with nothing for 16 hours. I could not take anymore so I got the shot. I remember I actually got a little break to where I fell asleep for about an hour before the pushing began. I had gained back the strength that I needed, and it took me about 45 minutes and my daughter was out. I still felt the pressure but nothing compared to before the shot. It just made the experience much better for me and my daughter I think. And of course all my family that was up there too :) I just wish that I would not have waited so long to get it. Why go through all of that pain if you don't have to?

Jessica - posted on 05/03/2010

It is WONDERFUL!!! I couldn't believe it existed. I was in so much pain with my daughter I was crying and trying not to throw up between contractions. I felt like someone broke my back (I had back labor). When I got the epidural, it was scary but you forget about it when the pain dissipates. I was laughing, eating jello and was able to rest which was important in a long labor. Now, they did let it wear off at the end to help me feel pushing so that wasn't cool but when she came out she was alert and completely healthy. Also, it was still working when they stitched me...I didn't feel a thing. I say its worth it. It just gives you a breather and helps you refocus. You are in control too....you can think and function, it just feels like your legs are asleep and you don't feel pain.



In response to the other people above me who only had it numb 1/2 their body....that is because you have to lay in a way it can be distributed evenly. But with my labor and all the complications, they made me lay on my side which made it numb one side more than the other. But its still better to have 1/2 the pain than all of it. Lol.

Kristy - posted on 05/03/2010

I have had four children and with the first three, they didn't work at all. Sometimes there is a problem with getting it in the correct space. Unfortunately, with the first three children, it only numbed one side from the waist down. With the third one, it didn't work at all. However, with my fourth child, it worked fabulous!! I didn't feel a thing. I didn't even know it was time to push until my nurse came in after seeing on the moniter she was viewing. It was my easiest delivery by far. So, to answer your question, sometimes they don't work well, but other times, they work miracles!!! Good luck with whatever decision you make!

Annie - posted on 05/03/2010

I had an epidural with my first baby and a natural birth with the second baby now in February. The epidural made the contractions stop, and it was effective only on one side. They had to give me oxytocyne to make the uterus contract again, which didn't help at first. They had to administer higher doses after which my contractions became more vigourous and painful. I didn't have the need to push at all. The midwife had to tell me when I needed to push while pressing down on my belly. I was in labour for 42 hours. I had my second child naturally with no pain medication whatsoever. I've never been in so much pain in my life, but it was worth it. The delivery lasted 7 hours from my first contraction and an hour and a half after my water broke. If I have a third child, I plan to have him/her naturally, if there are no complications and it is medically essential. Good luck with your decision:-)

Jessica - posted on 05/03/2010

I did get one, but the pain isnt that bad getting it done! I was scared of it also..!! Once i had my epidural i was checked to see how dilated i was, and i was at 10cm...i shouldnt have had the epidural but it was too late. They didnt hook me up to the machine to administer more medication was 30 mins later when i was pushing i felt everything and my stiches that came along after the birth!! Next time i wont be getting an epidural!

Eileen - posted on 05/03/2010

Just the thought of giving birth without epidural would kill me. I had epidural to all my 3 children, it worked really well with the first two with no pain at all, the third one worked maybe 80%. because i felt some pain while pushing (contraction) but did not feel any tear pain.

Jessica - posted on 05/02/2010

No not all the time. Some people that I have talked to said that they felt nothing, but I sure felt a lot! When I first got it it helped me relax and I progressed much faster. But once it came to pushing I felt everything. I could feel my daughter moving further down with every push, could move my legs, and felt a tom of pressure. So I say get it if you feel you need to, but it definitely doesn't take all the pain away all the time.

Jessica - posted on 05/02/2010

I wanted to have a natural water birth, but the tub was to big and the pain was to much so after begging for an epidural and my husband demanding it, I got one. I was disappointed in myself, but after I got the epidural I didn't feel any pain. I was able to feel when contractions were coming and I was able to move a little bit and be in different positions. I was really scared of an epidural and asked the guy giving it if I would know if I was paralized right away or if I would know later. He was not ammused! After I got my epidural it was like a party, I was laughing and joking, I could have pushed all day long, but my little guy needed to be suctioned out. I didn't feel the tearing of my cervix or the stitches being put in. I will try for another natural childbirth, but know that an epidural is an option.

Kristy - posted on 05/02/2010

I LOVED it!!! Would definately have it again if we have another baby. Couldn't feel a thing and when I was pushing, I had to ask if I was even doing anything because I couldn't feel it!! Lol....

Heather - posted on 05/02/2010

Not for me, it didn't! I was numb everywhere BUT the mystical lady place. So, for my next one, I think I will be doing natural. It can't hurt any worse than the last one, right?

right? *whimper*

Christina - posted on 05/02/2010

i can tell u that for me it worked so much that i thought my labor stopped. it varys from person to person, it is scary, but try not to be scared once it kicks in u will have time to relax. before the baby comes. congrats hope this helped u.

Candice - posted on 05/02/2010

it took away all the pain , all i felt was the pressure..

Cindy - posted on 05/02/2010

I felt just a little pressure, but no pain. I had a sensation like I had to use the restroom. I was able to push, but it didn't hurt at all. In fact I remember thinking during pushing, this is so easy! I can so do this again!, LOL! My epidural wasn't turned off until after I gave birth. The overall feeling was like I was novacained from the waist down. I could still feel if I touched my legs and I could wiggle my toes, but I was numb.

Fanessa - posted on 05/02/2010

Well I have had 3 kids and 2 out of 3 i had naturally and the 3rd was over ten pounds so my dr. really wanted me to have an epidural just of the fear he might of had to do a c- section. I was terrified of the epidural. I had my mother in the room with me i was so scared. After it was all said and done the epidural was a wonderful choice it didn't hurt at all the epidural or my contractions which really never caused me to much pain anyway. I tell you what the IV hurt ten times worse then the epidural. I did feel slight pressure when I was pushing him out which was a good thing or else labor would have never progressed. I did not feel the stiches. Soon as they took the epidural out I had my feeling back! Like I say it was a great experience. I was joking around and laughing while I was in hard labor. Nothing like having him naturally where i was screaming my head off and crying the whole time and feeling every contraction and all that good stuff. Idk if had to do it again i'd choose the epidural thats for sure :)

Judy - posted on 05/02/2010

I have 4 kids as well and had epidurals for all of them! They freeze your back so you don't feel a thing! An epidural is a walk in the park and the way to go! You can then enjoy your birthing experience. Hope this helps! Hugs from Judy

Eman - posted on 05/02/2010

It depends on when you decide to have it.. if its early labour it should be more effective then late. The epidural i found was the best pain relief option. I had pethadine and gas.. but all was nothing compared to the epidural and i would do it again 100%.. if you think about it - the epidural is better then nothing even if it only helps with half of the pain. Its true about you still feeling the pushing but again its better to still have that feeling so you can monitor how hard your pushing so u dnt tear as much. ALSO during my pre labour classes i asked the midwife about epi and back pain she said that there is no research to show that epi is the cause and that even preg ladies that didnt have the epi reported back pain from having carried a baby 9mnths its alot of pressure on the back. Everyone is different and i wish you all the luck in the world :)

Jillian - posted on 05/02/2010

i remember i didnt want to get the epidural because of all of the horror stories I heard about being paralyzed, headaches, back pain, etc. and because of the huge needle going into my back, but i got it anyway. the epidural going in was completely painless and loved it for the first few hours. Once the pushing started i could feel everything! and delivering the placenta was even more painful. My back was in so much pain and i was so delirious when my son was born i didnt get to enjoy him coming out. With my second child i plan on going natural by using hypnobirthing techniques. if youve had 4 kids natural why start getting an epidural now?

Emily - posted on 05/02/2010

I had an epidural during my labor and it was fantastic!!! I felt a little poke in my back...and after that I was able to actually relax during the last stretch of my labor and delivery before I had to start pushing! I was so relaxed that I took a nap for about 3 hours (I was in labor for 22 hours!!!) during the peak of my labor/contractions. My doctor said this to me, "Riding business class is a heck of alot more comfortable than riding coach!" I say go for the epidural!

Miranda - posted on 05/02/2010

I had an epidural and it was great. When they give you the epidural you feel a little pinch (the needle going in) then you feel pressure of the medicine going into your back, but it isn't painful. It started working within 5 minutes, and within 15 to 20 minutes it was fully effective. I did not feel my contractions at all. Once it was time to push all I felt was the urge to push and a little pressure with each contraction, but no pain at all. Yes, they do turn off the drip once its time to push, but it is still fully effective for about an hour or more. I will definately have another epidural when I have another baby.

Jennifer - posted on 05/02/2010

I loved my epidural. I didn't get it until 8 centimeters because the doctor was taking his precious time getting to the hospital. They had to call the anesthesiologist who was on-call to finally give it to me. Once I got it though...the pain was gone. I could still feel a little pressure when my daughter came out, but I was glad to still be able to feel a little of what was going on. The doctor showed me the button I could push to inject an extra dose if I felt the pain coming back. You have that control if it does start to wear off during labor. I recommend the epidural. You enjoy the experience so much more without the pain.

Spring - posted on 05/02/2010

It took all the pain away. I could feel the head coming out but it wasn't painful at all. As soon as they put it in the relief was almost instant. And having them put it in didn't hurt one bit. I think it was totally worth it.

Patricia - posted on 05/02/2010

I had my first child in 2008 and i was induced due to hbp. i definatly wanted an epi and they gave me one. however mine only took on one side of my body so i could still feel the left side and it hurt. i was pushing to take the pain away anyways i ended up having to have an emergency c-section and i swear i could feel the whole c-section. my husband says i wasn't feeling a thing but what the hell does he know? anyways hope this helps

Natalie - posted on 05/02/2010

I had one and felt almost no pain at all. I was induced and I tell you, without one I would have really gone mad with the pain! I have absolutely no regrets about my epidural, I didn't feel it go in either. But everyone's different it seems.

Amanda - posted on 05/02/2010

YES!!! They can regulate the amount they give you so that you can 'feel' when you're having a contraction and know when to push, but there is no pain - more like a slight pressure. I was fully dilated and pushed for three hours with my daughter but she was stuck and I ended up having a 'C' section. They numb the area with a local first then give you the epidural. I am a total needle-phobic so my midwife applied a topical numbing cream so I didn't even feel the local. I was so scared out of my wits and it ended up being absolutely no drama at all. Don't be put off by the scary stories - you do what is right for you.

Renee - posted on 05/01/2010

When i had mine, i felt nothing at all. Mine was totally pain free and slept. When it came to pushing i felt nothing either.

Amanda - posted on 05/01/2010

yes you dont feel all your contractions so when it comes time to push your more rested then while your pushing all you feel is a littie pressure and dont worry it doesnt hurt your baby

Amber - posted on 05/01/2010

mine worked wonders!! i had mine kind of early on. it was so good that i was laughing and joking through the whole labor and delivery! when i was in transition, i started feeling mild contractions on one side but i was still relatively comfortable. i didnt feel anything at all down there when she came out. it was a very pleasant experience for me (except for when they gave me the epidural...that was excruciating, but worth it in the end!)

Judy - posted on 05/01/2010

I have given birth to two children and had epidurals both times, so I cannot compare natural to epidural, but I can tell you of my experience. On number 1, my 9 pounder, the pain of labor was enornously reduced. I only felt pressure with contractions and some pain at the top of my abdomen when it was time to push. They just can't numb you all the way up. I felt NOTHING during delivery. I had some complications that slowed things down. The epidural ran out before I was supposed to push, but they just gave me a refill, basically, and all was well. Numbness after is a pain...your legs have to wake up again. There is no walking around for several hours. My second, a 7 pounder, came with much less frustration. The epidural did the job and I joked my way through delivery. Getting the epidural is really easier than getting the IV. It's nothing. HOWEVER, the first time, I had an inexperienced giver. Ask for someone who has done it a million times. The first time the girl stuck me 6 times before she got it in right!!! That's not good. The second time was beautiful and snappy. Just make sure you ask about experience. Don't feel bad about getting someone else to do it. OH, after the first one, I shook pretty hard after the birth coming off of the medicine and the adrenaline.

Andrea - posted on 05/01/2010

It's different for everyone. I got an epidural, and it was awesome. I had been up all night at home, and I thought there is no way I will be able to push this baby out I'm exhausted, but as soon as I got the epidural I was able to sleep which was amazing. I was extremely scared to get the epidural as well, especially since i have an extra lumbar vertebrae, which is where the needle goes, so there is a high chance of screwing up on me, but they didn't and it was the best decision I made. The only thing I would change next time is I would wait a little longer, as it does slow everything down, but if you've already had 4, then you should progress just fine

Velana - posted on 05/01/2010

I was so scared of getting an epidural that I decided I was not going to have it. That was until the pain kicked in and I knew it was going to get worse and I was not even half way there. I got the epidural. I had one more contraction and everything from the waist down went numb. I could still move everything and I knew it was moving but could feel no pain. The nurse said "now you can enjoy your labor" and I thought hmmm I had never thought of it that way. She was an awesome nurse and when it came time to push she explain everything. Three pushes and my little one was here. I think every woman wants to see if they can do it without it but its available to you if the pain gets too bad. So I would say it definitely works. I'm sure your labor was much more painful than the needle. The sensation of the needle was not painful to me but it was weird. A feeling I have never felt before.

Jennifer - posted on 05/01/2010

I was very scared to get an epidural and had planned on doing it without but when my labor started and I had bad back labor, I gave in! I was nervous about a needle going in my spine but I am glad I got it! I wasn't completely numb which was good because I was able to feel the urge to push which helped me a lot. The epidural just took the edge off! The only side effect I really had was "the shakes." I was shaky like when you have the chills but they subsided soon after I delivered!

Angie - posted on 05/01/2010

I had an epidural with both my girls, with my first daughter i ended up having an emergency c-section so they greatly increased the dose so i was completely numb from the waist down. With my second i got one and was able to feel the pressure of it which i thought was a good thing so i knew when i needed to push but i didn't feel any pain

Raven - posted on 05/01/2010

i got the epidural it was wonderful b/c i got to sleep through most of labor and i ended up with a c-section due to her not dropping into position...but let me tell you its great to get b/c f fr some reason they have to do a c-section they dont have to knock you out b/c your numb already so you can stay awake to see your baby be born..hope all goes well!

Cristina - posted on 05/01/2010

I had an epidural combined with a spinal block and I dont think I could have made it with out it. I suffered six hours with the contractions and my labor lasted almost 22 hours...Personally I think it was a great choice for me, I felt pressure when pushing but no pain at all!! Best of luck... And you are a brave woman for having your other kids all natural!!

Bridgette - posted on 05/01/2010

I had an epidural half way threw. It helped tremendously. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO GET MORE MEDICINE! They didn't tell me, or show me. So I felt everything!!!

Natalie - posted on 05/01/2010

I felt nothing after having an epidural, the one pain med I said I would NEVER have and I am now so glad I did. However I never got to experience pushing as I stopped contracting at 8-9cm dilated and my baby got distressed and I ended up being taken for an emergency c section.

Adonna - posted on 05/01/2010

No! I had one with both of my kids. With my daughter it worked on half my lower body. With my son it didn't work at all and I ended up getting a spinal headache and had to get 2 bloodpatches because spinal fluid was leaking out from the hole they made.