epidural question plz help!!

Jacquelyn - posted on 03/14/2010

I had 3 (each baby) and it doesn't do anything other than numb you from the waist down, and it does stop the burning feeling of crowning because you are numb, don't be scared but do be aware that you can ask them to adjust the dose if you get too numb or aren't numb enough :)

Trista - posted on 03/13/2010

i didn't have an epi but i did a lot of research on it before i had both my children. one thing i did find out was that you are confined to the bed which can make your labour longer. it doesn't stop the burning as you crown i was told. i did gas and peth with my first baby and went quite la la. i only did gas with my second and it caused me to go la la again and to pass out at one point. However while this did happen it was a great distraction from the pain. the gas pain relief option i used really decreased the pain it just gave me something to really focus on. i was against the peth shot until i was in labour for 30 hours and still only 3cm dialated. I was exhausted and while the peth didn't take away the pain of contractions completely it allowed me to relax enough to get a small amount of rest and to dialated more quickly. try not to worry, the more you stress the longer your labour will take. its great your doing your research but remember you might find you don't even need anything. good luck i wish you all the best. PS just to give you a little relief my second labour was much shorter only 2 hours. I also did a lot of research on the possible effects on the baby as well and discovered that it can cause other problems. in saying all of this i was demanding one with both my labours. with the first one it was two early and they didn't want to risk causing the baby stress or slowing downt the labour any further, with my second baby i was told i was going to fast and was to far along for them to put it in. thats just something else to keep in mind. even if you want one you might not be able to have one if your labour has progressed to far. once again good luck.

Heather - posted on 03/13/2010

nooo, lol and i highly reccommend!

Chasity - posted on 03/12/2010

i had the epideral and i was in so much pain that i didnt even feel them putting it in my back..it numbed me from the chest down and it was great!!! i deffinitely recommend it. the only thing that sucked was it slowed down my labor and i had the epideral in for 8 hours before i was able to push and by the time i had him it was wearing off.

Heather - posted on 03/10/2010

i had one with both of my deliveries. the only side-effects are making you numb from the waist down, but thats the whole point. it wears off over night, and you should be back to your normal self in no-time. it didnt really hurt me, and a small prick is worth it if you dont want to have to go through that much pain of delivering a baby without one.

Jennifer - posted on 03/10/2010

I personally never wanted an epidural and had my son with just gas and air. My main reasons for this is that I know someone who had one and is now paralysed as a result, Yes it's a rarity but it can happen. An epidural doesn't make you feel light-headed and doesn't affect the baby but most people can't walk for a while after due to their legs also being numb. Don't be scared it's not anywhere near as bad as I thought it was gonna be=]

Hayley - posted on 03/10/2010

i guess wether you would want to have ne or not depends on how much pain you are in. i would never rule it out, however, i had my little girl with absolutely no pain relief at all and it was the most amazing experience and i would totally recommend it but if your in alot of pain or if your having a long labour then i guess it would be necessary. don't say your not going to have one coz you might end up needing it. good luck :)

Hayley - posted on 01/28/2010

i never ever wantedto have an epidural but ended up really needing one as my labour progress was getting nowhere and it wore me out, so i had 1 so i could have a sleep. It was great. i had 2 of them. the 1st one numbed me everywhere except my uterus. the second one got my uterus and i couldnt feel a thing. my next baby i'm sure i will be opting for one again.. GO FOR IT!!!! its great

Nicola - posted on 01/27/2010

I've had 3 children in the past 4 years I had an epidural with my first but not with my 2nd or 3rd. I hadn't planned to have an epidural but the babies heart rate kept dropping and he wouldn't come out so they gave me one incase they had to do a c section. I had no side effects and it didn't make me feel funny. I didn't have one with the other 2 as I didn't need one but I did have gas and air which can make people feel light headed but i had no problems with it. I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine and good luck.

Monica - posted on 01/26/2010

Noooooo, don't worry Lindzy!!!! I had it, and trust me, my anesthesiologist, didn't poke me or anything, she just asked me to follow her instructions, a nurse asited me, and she was very exact at the very first time.. no mistakes. No, it does not make your head feel light, it just makes your legs feel funny, you do not feel anything from your waist down. I was just laughing at the sensation, it's.. well, it feels funny. The most important thing is that you trust your doctor, and that you make sure you have faith that anything involved in the birth of your baby, is for the best. My baby will turn 8 months this Thursday, I had a c-section (at the last minute) she is my first baby, and everything turned out perfect. Don't be nervous, do not be afraid, this is the final part of your looooooong 9 month wait. Enjoy it, dont stress about it, you will have many years to come, to worry for your baby. I hope this info helps you. Good luck.

Monica - posted on 01/26/2010

Noooooo, don't worry Lindzy!!!! I had it, and trust me, my anesthesiologist, didn't poke me or anything, she just asked me to follow her instructions, a nurse asited me, and she was very exact at the very first time.. no mistakes. No, it does not make your head feel light, it just makes your legs feel funny, you do not feel anything from your waist down. I was just laughing at the sensation, it's.. well, it feels funny. The most important thing is that you trust your doctor, and that you make sure you have faith that anything involved in the birth of your baby, is for the best. My baby will turn 8 months this Thursday, I had a c-section (at the last minute) she is my first baby, and everything turned out perfect. Don't be nervous, do not be afraid, this is the final part of your looooooong 9 month wait. Enjoy it, dont stress about it, you will have many years to come, to worry for your baby. I hope this info helps you. Good luck.

Mikayla - posted on 01/26/2010

It didn't make me feel weird at all. It just numbs you from your belly down. I couldn't even feel my contractions anymore, any when I finally gave birth, I apparently even tore and they had to sew me up, but I didn't feel any of that either!! I will definitely have one again when I have another child in the future! The only thing that kinda stunk is you can't get up and walk for like 6 hours after they take it out, and the first time I went to the bathroom hours after they took it out, a nurse had to walk me to the bathroom *I guess that's their policy at that hospital* but it was good because my legs were all wobbly. But it didn't make me itchy like some other people said, and it doesn't affect you in the head or anything. I got to lay there and watch tv for hours in comfort until my stubborn daughter finally was ready to come out! So I say, go for it!

Catherine - posted on 01/26/2010

Hey Lindzi, i had a epidural after having to have a c section with my 1st. The anithatisist who performed it went through my spinal cord and pearced it badly. I have never felt pain like it, it was like someone had put a thunder bolt through my spine, it left me unable to walk as when i was upright i had a most horrendus headaces, i was told that when i stood up the fluid in my back drainned from my head. In order to correct this i had to have what was called a blood patch, which was to take blood from my arm and through having a epidural again pump it back in my spine. The 1st one never worked but thankfully the 2nd it. I have never been so frightened in my life as i was having the blood patches, the fear of feeling that pain again still haunts me to this day. What made things worse was my baby was in Special care and i couldnt go see him as i couldnt stand up, what should have been a happy time for me and my partner was horrendus. If you can go through labour with anything else please do, i would highly recomend that. Take care xxxx

Breann - posted on 01/25/2010

Hi! I am on my third pregnancy and I had an epidural with both previous pregnancies. I just thought you should know that it only works from point of insertion down. They place it in your back like right below your lungs. So you feel normal from the baby up but from the baby down you feel sorta numb. not uncomfortable numb but nice numb. and all you feel from that point on is pressure. you know your contracting you can still feel when you need to help push. its really a great feeling. though some people prefer to not use it, i totally recommend it.

Nimisha - posted on 01/25/2010

Hi Lindzi,

I don't know what it feels like to have an epidural because I had a completely natural labour, but I do want to let you know not to be scared. As everyone said to me when I was scared "If labour was that bad, people wouldn't have more than one kid!" and it's so true. I completely understand why you are afraid, and it's good to consider all available pain relief options if it does become too painful, but I have to say that in my experience (and most of my friends') your body just takes control.

Good luck, hope it all goes to plan.

xxx

Trish - posted on 01/25/2010

I had an epidural, and it was fabulous. I felt really cold, and I was shivering a lot, but that was the only thing that bothered me. Also, I have low blood pressure and it caused my blood pressure to drop even more, causing some dizziness.

Kirsty - posted on 01/25/2010

i had a completely natural birth... i was asked if i wanted the epi n i said no as it can make ur baby sleepy later n sick... i recommend research it and dont have it just becos u can.. only have it if u need it... do ur research..

Taryn - posted on 01/25/2010

No I didn't feel anything in my head. Then the doctors let it wear off so I could feel the contractions and push on my own. I will definately be having another one with my second.

ErinMarie - posted on 01/24/2010

When I got to the hospital I took the other drugs they offer because I thought I didn't want an epidural but the drugs only lasted about an hour and i felt high the whole time so I gave in to the epidural. It actually wasnt that painful and if you dont overdo it with the drug you can still feel a slight pressure so you know when the baby is coming but absolutely no pain. It made labor a much better experience for me.

Amber - posted on 01/24/2010

No actually, that's one good thing about the epidural, it doesn't make you woozy or anything, you feel perfectly normal, except your body is numb and you feel NO PAIN. so I recommend it. There's no drug-like side effects. Hope this helps

Vickie - posted on 01/24/2010

I had to have an epidural as i needed a c-section and i know how scared u must b feeling. I cried until they started to cut me open i was that scared! it was the worst experience of my life! I felt extremely sick my heart rate was sky high n I nearly passed out. it was like a mix of being very very very drunk and being really sick. however after going through some of labour naturally it probably is good to feel like your not in your own body. im not sure from saying you don't like feeling light headed id say you probably wont like the epidural, however you could react differently to it and not really mind it at all. good luck with your decision!.

Jamie - posted on 01/24/2010

I had an epidural with my son (also my first) and it was GREAT! I didnt feel lightheaded but i did make me vomit because when the nurse told me not to eat so much i ignored her...i was hungry. But throwing up once was SO much better than going through the labor pains. The only thing that annoyed me was that i had it at 2am started pushing at 4am had my son at 6am and by noon still couldn't walk right because i was still numb. But still definitely worth it.

Sacha - posted on 01/24/2010

I was in labour a long time, I wanted to be brave! Earthmother doing it all without pain relief! How silly.... they suggested to hurry things along they would give me the hormone drip which would increase the intensity of my contractions and that i should have an epidural. once it was done it felt wonderful i relaxed and as i was on the lowest dose i could feel every contraction still but not the discomfort! I pushed Finlay my son out without intervention after 45 mins of starting to push! though as epidural blocks pain and cold it doesn't help with the discomfort of the head crowning as that is a burning feeling, but that doesn't last long.

Epidurals don't work for everyone but don't suffer in silence an epidural in some cases can make birth an almost enjoyabe experience!!!! It did for me :-)

Bonnie - posted on 01/23/2010

i had the morphine epidural for my csection and it is different from the regular one but makes you numb i didnt find it made me feel out of it or anything, my first four kids i delivered completely naturally and my twins were born by emergency csection so i didnt have a choice but to get the epidural i was hoping to be able to go naturally but it didnt work out that way

Jessica - posted on 01/23/2010

they had me take mine so i could rest or i was going to be a c section. i was in labor for a really long time. i was fully dialated when i finally got it and i wont hesitate getting it ever again. it just numbs the bottom half which was nice. i slept till she decided it was time to come out which was for about an hour and a half. they didnt numb me but i still didnt feel them give it to me. the contractions hurt so bad that you wont even notice it.

Pam - posted on 01/23/2010

The epi just made the lower 1/2 of my body numb. The anistesia is what made me feel light headed. Almost like an out of body exp. Some women exp some kind of back pain afterwards, but I didnt have that happen to me.

Lisa - posted on 01/23/2010

Hi I had an epidural when giving birth to Keira and did not feel any different to be honest, the only thing is I had no feeling at all in my left leg once she was born, but the next day I was fine to walk, I had the epidural at 10.30pm and gave birth at 11.26pm and they say sometimes it slows the birth down, well it certainly didn't with me!! I did have a dull ache in the bottom of my spine for a few days after but it was soo worth it. Would also recomend a tens machine in early labour ...you can higher them from Boots a month before your due to get used to it! ....my threshold of pain is not good and this definately helped. Hope this helps!!

Monique - posted on 01/23/2010

i had an epidural didnt make me sick or light headed but my epidural only numbed half of me and the other half was getting the con traction even stronger so he came back and moved it and it sent the other side numb and the contractions came back stronger on the other side then by the time he came back to do it again she was born but it doesnt have any efect at all other than numbing you (if they get it right lol) but my baby came out purple cause of the epidural but it was quickly reversed.

Aubrie - posted on 01/23/2010

i didnt think that it made me light headed. Its just a really weird feeling haveing your legs all numb i hated it.. (the numbness). freaks me out not to be able to move my legs, but it sure is werth it !!! =)

Kayla - posted on 01/23/2010

epidural was the best thing EVER!! doesnt hurt when you get it done cause your too focused on the contractions. you cant feel it in your head either, your legs go so unbelievably numb. i didnt feel a thing when i had my son. i definitely recommend it if you dont want to feel the pain.

Olivia - posted on 01/23/2010

Epidural=AMAZING... and it doesnt hurt at ALL compared to contractions... i had my first epidural and it only numbed from my thighs down, which was hell... BUT they gave me statol (pain medicine) and everything was good, then i got ANOTHER epidural, and it was easy sailing from then on... id say get one... it doesnt make you feel weird, you just cant move your legs!! good luck!! hope this helps =)

Brenda - posted on 01/22/2010

You can get the shakes afterward, however, I did, but it passed really fast. Only about ten minutes. Just an FYI, because i didn't know, and it only happened with my second.

Brenda - posted on 01/22/2010

I've had two, and each time they were different. The first one I could feel my legs and had no numbness whatsoever. I also had stadol which is nonncarcotic Demoral. That does make you a bit woozy. That was a 30 hour labor and they had to redose the epidural 2x, and when I delivered it had worn off.



The second time, my legs went numb and I couldn't really move them. The bad part was I was in the middle of a rapid delivery and only had the epidural in for about an hour. (my labor was only 4 hours long total). With it I was also under Stadol still becuse everything happened so fast, but would have been clear headed otherwise.



Hope that helps, just remember there are some different effects depending on who puts it in and how. But with all kinds you are clear headed. It doesn't effect your head at all.

Crystal - posted on 01/22/2010

It just makes your boby go numb, but it doesnt make you feel light headed or anything. it makes the contractions where you don't even know you are having any. Mine started to wear off towards the end, so make sure not to get it too soon!

Melanie - posted on 01/22/2010

Hi, I also just had my first child and i was suppose to deliver on FEB 9th but i had my daughter on dec, 29th and i had a epidural. No, it doestn make u feel different, the only thing is that it makes your legs feel really heavy, i couldn't lift them someone else had to. I would really recommend it for a first time mother. I only pushed my daughter for 15 minutes. It was my best friend during my first and last experience!!

Michelle - posted on 01/22/2010

with mine the only side effects was my legs were heavy,very cold, but they can correct it if you tell them your getting to much. it does not take long to feel the ajustment.

Kayla - posted on 01/22/2010

ok I didnt get the epidural.. i spent 25 mins pushing with a 10 pound baby no tearing!! my sister got the epidural and spent 2 hrs pushing with 2 inch hemroids!!

Brianna - posted on 01/22/2010

I didn't feel any different, except for there being NO pain!! lol my labor was AMAZING once I got the epidural in. I was scared too it was my first baby but it really works out fine. Your body knows what to do and you are surrounded by people who know what they are doing to help you along. The epidural seriously made it so I was able to enjoy my labor and the beauty of it all. It isn't bad getting it either they numb you with a shot first and that is probably the worst part of it, but it just stings a little bit nothing bad and then you dont feel them put it in, its just cold. Trust me, nothing to worry about! ;-D Good luck and congratulations!

Brittany - posted on 01/22/2010

i loved it. i had back labor is i was n pain. but u R GOIN to want one. Im not having ne back pains like they said or nething. it didnt mess with my head but just after i had my daughter i had tha chills but everything was perfect. i might be lucky n not need it. if u took the breathing class just do your favorite breath as long as u can stand the pain. having a baby is not like u have heard. during my pushin out i was talkin n everuthing. i was watching family guy .lol. u will be find girl just hang in there

Avni - posted on 01/22/2010

Epidural are great. I had it for all three of my kids.(was very late in taking it for the third so i felt the natural birth but no pain for the stitches so that was gud) But the only pointer i'd give it that i had midwives for all my child births hence they prefer natural. So when i asked for the epidural they requested the minimum dose. So it only made the whole labour experience almost pain free. I felt the head pressure and was able to push without indication and NO PAIN. Side effect was a mild headache for 24 hours and during the IV i felt very very chilly. Other than that it was gr8. ......Hope this helps.

Lila - posted on 01/22/2010

I have 3 kids and had 3 epidural, first one I don't remember, second time, they missed 2x and was very uncomfortable (I dislike neddles) and this last one, OMG the worst experience ever... 4x time, they would miss and retry different spots, I was so much in pain. But do not get scare with the stories that you read, You could have the most pleasant experience, so just relax, and wait for that special day, concentrate in meeting your new bundle of joy.

Ashley - posted on 01/22/2010

I didn't feel light headed from it at all. Just numb from the waist down. The biggest downside for me was they were unable to get the needle in. It took them three tries, and that's a big needle. My back actually hurt more the next day than anything else.

Mariana - posted on 01/22/2010

I have 4 children. 3 natural and one with a epidural. Yes I felt no pain andlabor went well. The only problem I had was a rare one. I had a spinal fluid leak that had to heal on its own. It took over a month to heal. I had terrible headach that lasted everyday from morning to night. I went through a large bottle of Tylenol. Like I said it was a rare thing. Don't let it scare you. Keep your options open.

Janae - posted on 01/22/2010

they do give you some kind of anesthesia even with emergency c-sections! They don't just chop into you! Either they'll give a spinal or general anesthesia (where they put you to sleep).

I had no problems with my epidural. I felt a little itchy and got kind of cold but, I could feel and move both of legs, that was nice. I will warn you though that mine didn't work when I was pushing, I think that's unusual though. Over all, my epidural was WONDERFUL, I had 40 hours of back labor before the epidural, so, yeah, it was almost heavenly :)

Alisha - posted on 01/22/2010

I wish I had as good of an experience as these girls...but I didn't. My epidural only lasted a few hours and i was in SOOO much pain. The actual shot wasnt bad...just felt like a bee sting like everyone said. I don't know if its normal but when they gave it to me it felt like all my nerves were popping. The dr said it was normal. But After a few hours my contractions were so painful!! I felt my legs the whole time also. So good luck and dont squirm too much bc I did and my babies head was coned longer than normal and couldn't go home in a normal car seat. GOOD LUCK!

Angela - posted on 01/22/2010

I'm different then these moms. I haven't had an epidural and want to encourage you not to either. I know lots of women who have had them the first time around and then chose not to for consecutive pregnancies because they hated the feeling of having NO control. If you go into labor naturally instead of being induced your natual endorphins kick in to help you deal with the pain. I'm not saying it's painless...far from it.!.but it can be done. Being induced makes labor longer because your body and baby aren't ready thus your endorphins don't kick in as well (if not at all). This is why so many women need or feel they need epidurals (besides peer presure!). Women who have epidurals also have a tendency to tear worse because they can't feel what they're doing, this of course makes healing longer!



I feel I was lucky with the birth of my daughter in that my labor was only 12 hrs (including 2 of pushing), but I am now pregant with my second child and plan to have a natural birth again. I know many women who have had natural labor lasting from 3-60 hrs without epidural. Our bodies were made for it. We are stronger then men! ;-)

Amanda - posted on 01/22/2010

My epidural was really good. I could still move my legs and could feel pressure when i was ready to push, But no pain what so ever. I did not want an epidural but my daughter was stuck and i ended up having one to help with the pain after a long labour lucky i did because i ended up in theatre and had to have a stronger form of it ready for a emergency cesarean if forceps did not get her out but thank god she was delivered by forceps. So i'm glad i had the epidural now. I am pregnant again and don't want another epidural. If my daughter was not stuck i know i would of coped without it. See how you go listen to your body you will be surprised at what you can deal with.

La Reina - posted on 01/22/2010

I was scared of an epidural too... but it doesn't hurt and it numbs you from the middle down. You might not be able to walk while it is in, but it does not take long to wear off. It was a wonderful thing for me becuase being in labor can get pretty intense. So don't be scared and when your getting the epidural, make sure you tell the anasthesiologist when you are having a contraction when he/ she is trying to put it in. Good luck and enjoy motherhood!

Amber - posted on 01/22/2010

it helps alittle with the pain but i had to have two cuz the first one went in wrong and the second one came out so i ended up having an emergency c-secton cuz she was too big and they gave me a spinal tap cuz i felt everything they didnt really work for me but the tap made me numb from the chest down it kinda felt like my legs were asleep that tingling feeling and i got a little nausious but it wore off in like 2 hours

Elizabeth - posted on 01/22/2010

i had 3 kids my first I had a epi the other 2 nothing... I prefer nothing becuse as soon as baby comes u are full of energy ... plus the one epi i had was done wrong and they had to take it out becuse they numbed my face not my lower half its really a choice only u can make

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