epidural question plz help!!

Meagan - posted on 01/22/2010

I didn't feel any sickness or any light headedness. Like Quechelle said, I felt numbnesss. I wasn't completely numb, I was able to move my legs when I had to, but I had a pins/needles feeling when I touched my legs.

Amanda - posted on 01/22/2010

nope it shouldnt make you sick in fact itll make you feel great i know i felt good only problem though is i was so numb i coouldnt move by myslef they always had to help.
goodluck.

Jessie - posted on 01/22/2010

I just had my first one and the epidural was amazing. I was hurting so bad that I couldn't even feel the epidural needle. And afterwards I just couldn't feel anything except pressure from my waist down. Most people say they cant feel anything but I could feel pressure, like my mom rubbed my feet for awhile and that was nice. I do know that they make you sign a wavier and it says that a certain percent of people get a really bad headache, but I didn't have this problem at all.

Srujana - posted on 01/22/2010

The process of taking the epidural scared me little because they r gonna poke on ur spine..may it will be only for fraction of seconds, but later I didnt feel anything different, it was all normal, but after my delivery i felt really numb for almost 24 hrs. I just couldnt stand on my own ,

Crystal - posted on 01/22/2010

Why don't you try without the epidural? Then if you feel you absolutely need it you can get drugs. Of course you're scared but the pain is part of child birth and, for me at least, it really was not that bad.

Crystal - posted on 01/22/2010

My epidural didn't make me feel any different in my head. But I hated it almost as much as the pain. I am a bit of a control freak and I couldn't stand not being able to move my own legs or turn over. It made me feel helpless, which I cannot stand.

Juliana - posted on 01/22/2010

I was totally against the epidural but ended up having no choice...it numbed me from the waist down and at that time this was a very welcome relief. Most people it starts to wear off after a few hours...with me it took longer. After the birth of my son, I still couldn't feel anything (7 hours after epidural). I had to have a cathiter to pee because I couldn't....when I tried to walk about 9 hours after epidural, I passed out. It was a weird feeling.

Nikki - posted on 01/22/2010

I wanted to have an all natural delivery with my first child but that changed when I was in labor for a week and so I ended up getting an epidural. I was very scared but I had no problems at all with mine. Mine didn't make me feel anything wrong with my head and I actually didn't feel them put it in because I was in pain. Best of luck. You will make the right decissions for you and your baby and it will work out. =)

Emma - posted on 01/22/2010

epidura makes ur legs heavy so u wont be able to walk around but i was one of the unlucky ones it didnt work for but it alls deepens on if you to walk around or not.

Evelien - posted on 01/22/2010

Ik ben ingeleid geweest, en de epidurale was zeker welkom (1 jaar gelden). Ik heb er totaal geen last van gehad, integendeel. Heb wel al gehoord dat de bloeddruk wat kan zakken, maar dat volgen de wroedvrouwen goed op (vb. benen wat hoger leggen kan al helpen).

Succes

Kristie - posted on 01/22/2010

For those of you thinking of having an epidural because of pain and not an emergency c-section...ask your doctor about something else. I gave birth to my son in July and he was my third. My OBGYN gave me what I believe is called a cervical block. He gave me a shot inside the vagina and the labor pains were gone. The shot itself did not hurt and while the pains were gone I could still feel when I had to push and the nurses were there to help me also. It seems to me it is worth the question to your doctor instead of having an invasive needle in your back and the side effects after. Which, I did not feel any side effects and I wish my other obgyn had given me this option 18 years ago and 9 years ago when I gave birth to my daughter and son. I plan to have it again when I have my fourth. It's worth the conversation with your doc as long as you don't need a c-section for any reason.

Stephanie - posted on 01/22/2010

By the time I got to that stage of labor where i was allowed to have the epidural it was such a relief (30 hours of labor) but I recall feeling more aware of my surroundings not less. I was on a morphine drip until the epidural and after the morphine wore off I just felt numb from the waist down - its a lot like getting your mouth frozen at the dentist... just in the lower half of your body.

Phelicia - posted on 01/21/2010

Lindzi, you feel fine on it, but I would NOT take one. I am pregnant for the third time, and will not be having an epideral this time. I did on both of my last two deliveries, and BOTH times it completely stopped my labor. The first was natural and they had to give me petocin (not fun) to induce and finish the labor, and the second was induced and they had to raise the petocin, and ended in a c-section. Really really really, I didn't feel like I NEEDED one either time, but was scared too. IT DOESN'T HURT THAT BAD. Most of it is like bad cramps. You will make it through just fine, but get educated about the side effects of the meds, including the increased chances of c-sections (no fun to recover from!)

Most of all, don't worry! Women, many of whom where not the strong and secure woman you are, have been having babies naturally for years! Many without the benefit of doctors. I had a friend who had her baby all alone at her house, and both her and baby were just fine! She even had another child running around the house! No matter what happens, I am sure everything will turn out just fine!!!

Stephanie - posted on 01/21/2010

No. I was more concerned with the idea that it would effect my baby. But b/c the doc new I would need to have a c-section he recommended that I take the epidural before it was too late. My hospital did not allow my husband to be there for legal reason so I was scared. It went fine. I didn't feel anymore labor pains in about half an hour or less. After my c-section I didn't take any pain killers until they told me I had to walk around the floor FOUR times... that's when I unwillingly accepted the offer.

Kristine - posted on 01/21/2010

Epidural = AWESOME!!! I also had Staydol beforehand because the wait was so long when I went into labor. That helped to calm me down a LOT because I was really nervous. The epidural made me numb, but no weirdness or anything. Just helped me to push out my big baby without any pain! Good luck!!! Being a mom is WONDERFUL!!!

Crystal - posted on 01/21/2010

There are 2 different kinds of epidural. One is the regular epidural. The other is the walking epidural. I had the 2nd one, and I felt completely normal. I wasn't in pain. I felt "pressure" but that was all. I was able to get up and shower shortly after birth.

Jessica - posted on 01/21/2010

I was adament that I didn't want any medications unless absolutelty necessary, but after 16 hrs of labor I hadn't dilated more than 6 cm (which happened in the first 3 hrs) and was exhausted from no sleep the 3 or 4 days before having my 1 wk late baby. I asked the doctor what his recommendation was, telling him that if i had been progressing i would have just sucked up the pain and delt with it, but was so exhauseted that i felt like i couldn't keep going without any progression. he said I probly needed something to help me relax and maybe get some sleep to let my body do it's job, so I was given the "walking epidural" or intrathecal. 2 hrs after intrathecal they gave me pitocin since my dilation wasn't progressing much, and an hr later i swore the intrathecal had worn off. i was told it was just the pitocin, and my daughter was born 20 hrs after "real labor" started (1hr of pushing). She was 9lbs 4oz and no side effects from the "walking epidural"/intrathecal for either of us-except my face was really itchy (I have alot of allergies and sensitivities to medications so expected some side effect). I was very glad that i was able to feel when it was time to push-the hospital i went to was very against a "normal epidural" unless absolutely necessary. i had 2 doulas, a wonderfully supportive hubby who rubbed my back,natural childbirth classes, 2 midwives who were into all natural labor unless our lives were at stake, etc and was told afterward that if i had tried to continue without any medications that i probly would have been so exhausted, the lack of dilation progression, and the size of the baby compared to me i would have had to have a c-section! to me, in the end, the only really important thing is a healthy baby and a healthy mama! Good luck and enjoy your little one!

Allison - posted on 01/21/2010

oh, and the shakes are normal with labor, I had them before I was drugged

Allison - posted on 01/21/2010

I tried to go all natural in a birthing center, but after 35 hours of labor and three hours of pushing, I was sent to the hospital and given an epidural. Honestly, it was sooo nice. I went from screaming pain and 20 minute rolling contractions to sitting up and talking...and very hungry. It did make me really itchy, and after the second dose(for the forceps) I couldn't even move myself to sit up and hold my baby, my legs were really hot and heavy. It took about three hours to wear off and I was able to balance enough for a shower a few hours later. Good luck!!!

Anna - posted on 01/21/2010

When I had my edidural I couldn't feel anything from the neck down! And It knocked me out for a couple of hours! I needed the sleep though and it really helped my labor go faster!! But honestly the doctor said it effects people differently!

Kathy - posted on 01/21/2010

I had no side effects while I was on it. When they put it in I felt 2 little pokes when they froze where they were putting it and when they put it in all I felt was pressure. It was great cause I wasn't on pain and after 23 hours of labor I got to have a little sleep

Jessica - posted on 01/21/2010

i had my first child in december and by the time they asked me if i wanted i really wanted it. the only thing that makes you feel weird is if they give you staydall *spelling* it makes you loopy lol. i only felt the epidural from my stomach down.

Jodie - posted on 01/21/2010

i had an epidural and it didnt make me feel light headed the gas and air make me feel light headed and sick and i didnt want pethidine cos it crosses the placenta to the baby so i chose the epidural cos she was spine to spine. I felt really incontroll on the epidural and i would advise any1 to have 1. Good luck hun x

Jennifer - posted on 01/21/2010

not in your head now, it goes into your spine and blocks areas of pain t hat way. however i knowmyself and a few other women who did get shaky from it. almost like being very cold. but i didnt hvae any kind of side effects like from a pain killer.

Susan - posted on 01/21/2010

When I got my epidural I wasn't really progressing much and was in HORRIBLE back labor. Once I got my epidural (which I didn't feel them put in due to how painful the contractions were) I was able to relax and reserve my energy. When the epidural kicked in and I relaxed I just progressed so fast. I didn't feel "drugged" or light headed or anything just didn't feel the contraction which was awesome. I was still able to move my legs a little bit just didn't feel anything. It made the whole birthing experience for me wonderful. I don't know what regular labor feels like but my back labor was the worst pain I ever felt in my life and I think if the epidural wouldn't have worked I would have died.

Shannon - posted on 01/21/2010

I had my first child with the help of an epidural and then gave birth naturally with both my stillborn and last baby. Here is my advice:

Epidurals make you feel numb from the waist down and therefore you will not know when to push and wont automatically feel th urge to push when the time comes, because of this you may need to have an episiotomy and help with the delivery. it is also a known fact that it makes labour longer!! Some ladies dont have any problems with an epidural but on my experience I can honestly say try and go as long as possible without one. Also you are not able to get up and have a shower for a while after the baby is born as you need to get your feelings back into your legs (therefore longer recovery) It will not effect your head at all as its literally just a needle in your spine that will make you numb however some people have had side effects of tingling in their legs after. There are many pros and cons of and epidural but from someone who has had one and had two natural births I can honestly recommend staying away from it if possible. Hope this helps???...........

Shantel - posted on 01/21/2010

I had an epidural and a spinal tap bc I had a C-section and I would have to say that I am glad that I had the epidural bc there is no pain like contraction pain. It nums you from the waist down so it really doesnt affect anything above. It did not seem to bother me at all. Maybe its not the pain killers but something in the pain killers that are making you sick.

Mandy - posted on 01/21/2010

All through my pregnancy i was adamant that i was not having the epidural but after 17 hours of painful contractions every 5 or 6 minutes i gave in and it was the best decision i ever made. i couldn't believe how well it worked as i was still expecting some pain. i felt great. even the gas which i was told makes you feel wierd was quite good. i told the midwife i would advertise the epidural for her!!! the only thing i didn't like about the epidural was when it was time to push i was told to push down into my bum...i couldn't feel my bum!!! i found it hard to focus on pushing because i couldn't feel it but after a half an hour or so of that my baby boy was born. :))

Brianne - posted on 01/21/2010

Just had my first baby, and was torn about to have or to have not. I ended up with the epidural and I felt wonderful, I was so preoccupied before from all the pain and discomfort that once I had the epidural, I was able to relax and enjoy the fact that I was getting ready to have my baby! I never felt lightheaded however almost giddy from the relief from the intense contractions.

Cassandra - posted on 01/21/2010

I was VERY nervous about getting one too. But I am so glad I did because things didn't go perfect, I was stitched from front to back if you get the idea. I didn't get any weird feelings from it and it didn't hurt at all! I suggest it.

Helen - posted on 01/21/2010

You won't care one bit if it gives you a fuzzy head, an epidural is probably the most wonderful thing in the wold at that stage. I was worried and didn't want one before I had it. Now I would always have one!

Takiah - posted on 01/21/2010

The epidural for me was great! It helped me get through the pain of the contractions and pushing. I was numb from the waist down and I was VERY HAPPY about that when my daughter finally dialated and I had to start pushing her out. It didn't make me feel weird at all I was actually pissed they took so long to give it to me in the first place.

Giseli - posted on 01/21/2010

Hi,I had it done twice on my 2 c sections and i felt fine,just got numb from my belly down to my feet:)

Erin - posted on 01/21/2010

I didn't feel weird at all. My legs were completely numb though. I was so happy because I remembered the whole labor....WITH NO PAIN. I will never go without the epideral for that reason. It was a great experience:)

Chelsea - posted on 01/21/2010

the epidural is great. it didn't make me feel loopy or anything (although, i may have sounded a bit loopy because i was so happy to not be feeling pain anymore). i would highly recommend getting one

Nichole - posted on 01/21/2010

It didnt make me feel light headed just num from the hips down. They wont let you up with the epidural, but they will turn you every hour. I was aware of what was going on around me.

Kelly - posted on 01/21/2010

I had a baby in April and used an epidural. I am a big fan because it allowed me to be totally alert; I didn't feel light headed or anything. I could still feel what was going on but it really reduced the pain. I had a book called "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" that really helped me make my decision about what to do and not to do. I'm not a big fan of the other drugs, but after reading I felt really comfortable getting an epidural.

Shannon - posted on 01/21/2010

hey lindzi the only thing you will feel with an epidural is complete and total comfort. it does feel a bit weird when they actually stick the needle in but trust me it is soooooooooooo worth it :)

Shels - posted on 01/21/2010

i have an 8 month old son and i didnt use any pain medication ... and just from my point of view you dont need it, and yes it is painful but thea is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is all worth it when you see your beauful baby, dont be scared i was petrified but honestli its never as bad as the thoughts you have ...i found it alot easier then what expected and what people told me ... good luck with everyting ... just my own thoughts but isnt pain part of labour and having a baby?

Martine - posted on 01/21/2010

Chloe is my only child and she is 7 months and every day i say to myself thanks god epidural was there ; u cant feel ur lower part but still feel the pressure so it is a good sign that baby is on his way; and the risk 0 doesn't exist but I think it saved u a lot of energy u will need after and epidural is around for a long long time now but u will see on the day..take care of urself and the baby and do it as u feel..

Christa - posted on 01/21/2010

I have had the epidural....five times!! No weirdness or light-headedness either. I always wished I could have gotten through it without the epidural...but nope.....always got it and it helped me get through the labor. Good Luck.....don't fear......keep your focus on what you are about to bring in to this world. So very exciting!!

Amber - posted on 01/21/2010

im not a fan of pain killer either. a few years a go i had surgery and they gave me vicodin. it made me so light headed and nautuas after the first time that i stopped takin it and dealt with the pain. having an epideral was a huge fear of mine. a few hours before they did give me on they gave me morphine. i hated it. i just got light headed. as soon as i hit 3 cm i demanded an epideral. come to find out, its no big dea at all. i was worried i would feel the anestetic.... nope. no worse that a shot in the arm. after a minute or so, they administered the actual epideral. it was beautiful! i didnt feel a thing nd it took affect immediatly. i didnt get sick or light headed. it was so amazing. i dont know how people go without one. all it did to me was make sure i didnt feel things like i would have otherwise. i most definatly reccoment getting an epideral. it was my biggest fear and nowi see it as my biggest godsend.

Heather - posted on 01/21/2010

I had one with both of my kids. I think the anxiety leading up to it was worse than the actual procedure. I didn't feel light headed. I was worried about getting a headache, but I didn't get one. With my second child I had itching. It was almost unbearable. It's an itch you can't scratch. Actually, touching it makes it itch worse! That's the only bad reaction I had. I was surprised that the epidural didn't take away the pain vaginally or rectally once it was time to push. I didn't realize that it's not supposed to so I kept complaining that it wasn't working! Once they get started you'll feel a zing down your leg. It's almost like an electric shock. It doesn't hurt, it's just scary. I would totally do it again with my next. But I'm sure I'd still be as nervous about it. Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 01/21/2010

I believe that every woman has the right to make informed decisions regarding her birth. This is some information you should consider:
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/arti...

Kristin - posted on 01/21/2010

omg its amazing! i was in so much pain and about 30 sec after the epidural i couldnt feel a thing. youre just numb from the waist down. i slept through 12 hrs of labor with no pain.

Alyssa - posted on 01/21/2010

I didn't get and epidural with my son, I just had the pain meds they gave me and I wouldn't go back and change it. I was in labor for so long that I just got used to the contractions and slept through most of them. That is until my doctor broke my water and made me start pushing with them. The thought of them putting a needle and cathider in my spine kinda freaked me out but im not good at all with needles in the first place. An epidural shouldn't make you feel any different in your head because its a pain blocker rather then a pain reliever. Its meant to block pain and numb you from about your ribs down. Once you have it thats why they don't let you get up. If you took labor classes or are taking them talk to the instructor about it. They are very knowledgable. They're ususally labor coaches or mid-wives. I hope this little bit helped you out.

Shunnell - posted on 01/21/2010

Hi Lindzi, with my first child I was determined not to get an epidural however at around 6 centimeters I gave in. With me I got the shakes but nothing a few extra heated blankets didn't cure and eventually the shaking stopped. It made for easy pushing. It will all depend on you but trust if the pain gets unbearable get it before its to late. It will make it much easier on you.

Naralie - posted on 01/21/2010

I got an epidural for with my 3 kids except the last child i got the epidural after I gave birth because I was getting my tubes tied! The only thing I didnt like was the shot and when they put the catheder in, but after that u just feel numb from your waist down! Its kinda annoying u can't move your legs but its 100 times better then feeling the contractions u could actually sleep so I recommend it! Good luck!

Carrie - posted on 01/21/2010

Hi,I had an epidural with my first born and my luck it didn't work,and they didn't numb the skin around the area before putting it in either.lol I can still remember thirteen years later but then again they sped my labor up too,and that was crap,because when they sped it up I felt it then after baby was born the drug started to work and I couldn't walk peeved my off for sure,I was a smoker and not being able to go for a smoke just made me go snaky.BUT,My advice though is to have a good long talk with your doctor or midwife and gather as much info as you can get.After that experience I went with natural birthing after that,I found yes it was painful but at least my legs were my own.I did not take any Lamaze classes with any of my children and I know I should have but I found with my second child that having jokes thrown your way helps,grandpa was there with us making me laugh up a storm and oh my I can say he told them every time I would have a contraction,that spike hit the roof,lol,but the pain was lessened.I do hope you get the information you seek and have a good birthing experience before you go into labor,also another good source of info are nurses at your local hospital or a social worker through the hospital,there just like councilors.

Jay - posted on 01/21/2010

hiya hun, iv just had my first baby and i did put an epidural in my birth plan but was apprehensive about having it. i was pertified about giving birth but I ended up not having an epidural, i had pethadine and gas and air which was enough pain relief for me. 2 of my friends had epidurals and said that they'd never have one again because they didnt get the full experience of giving birth as they couldnt feel the urge to push. just do what i did, put it in your birthing plan but try not to have it unless you really need it. you'll be fine, labour is a wonderful experience, try to enjoy it, good luck sweetie xxx