Does an epidural hurt?

~Jennifer - posted on 12/10/2009

Thank you for your responses to this question.

Catrina - posted on 12/10/2009

The contractions hurt way more. And once the epidural is in you are able to somewhat enjoy the birth of your baby. Congrats and good luck

Debbie - posted on 12/10/2009

they numb you first, so it's more pressure than pain. Then you don't feel anything, except tingling and pressure.

Asel - posted on 12/10/2009

It didn't hurt a bit. Just make sure that you stay still when you get a shot. Don't even worry about it. Good luck!

Asel - posted on 12/10/2009

It didn't hurt a bit. Just make sure that you stay still when you get a shot. Don't even worry about it. Good luck!

Katherine - posted on 12/10/2009

I have 2 kids. With my son who is 32 months old I had an epidural. I pushed with every contraction for three and a half hours. He almost had to get vaccumed out. With an epidural you cannot walk around, after you have your baby you need to wait until it wears off, then have someone help you go to the washroom.



My daughter was born a little over a week ago. I did not have an epidural, I managed to avoid all interventions which was great. Granted it was my second, so it is supposed to be easier, but comparing the epidural/non-epidural experience I'd like to redo the first birth with no epi...I felt I could push more effectively and I could feel the urges to do so more. I used the washroom unassisted shortly after birth, and was comfortable walking around within hours, with the epidural it took waaay longer to get to that point.



Go with your instincts though, my plan was to try to do it drug free both times, I got the epidural because I was exhausted (REST in early labour no matter how excited you are!!). I went with what I thought was best, and you should too. It doesn't hurt to get an epidural, but I found the birth experience more "pleasurable" (if you can call it that ha ha) without it, and my recovery was considerably faster.



Good luck and I'm sure you'll do fine!

Gina - posted on 12/10/2009

Courtney ,hello Iam Gina ,and i will tell you its completely normal for you to be nervouse of course your having a baby and congrats to you its the best thing you will ever do in your life ,being a mother is the greatest gift any women can ever give to her self . on getting the shot i wanted to go Natural and i was in labor for 72 hours with lots of pain i bear it for about 71 hours i couldnt sleep nor relax so the doctor suggested it t one more time he said you will be able to be comfortable i followed his advice even know i wante to do it natural . i did exactly what they told me to do and before i knew it they were done i can tell you and this is the truth i never felt anything i dont know if its cuz i was in so much pain prior to them starting the epidural. that i just wanted some relief so remember to breath relax and everything will work out for you and your lil one congrats again wishing you a happy safe birth and, may god bless you & your family ........

Samantha - posted on 12/10/2009

you're not going to feel the epidural over the pain of the contractions and trust me you will be so much more comfortable and it makes pushing a breeze but its not always as effective as some people so keep that in mind.

Michelle - posted on 12/09/2009

You will not feel it at all. I went through it and i don't mind going throught that again. It's just pain free. Just stay calm & everyting will just go fine.

Carrie - posted on 12/09/2009

The epidural did not hurt me one bit. All you have to do is stay very still how the doctor tells you. You may feel it a bit but it didn't hurt really. I think getting a tattoo would be worse. LOL! I guess everyone is different though?!

Bek - posted on 12/09/2009

I had one with my first son, i had to be induced then give an epi hours later in case i had to have an emergency cesarean, it was a good at the time cause i was a shit scared 16 year old girl giving birth and it took all my pain away, but now if i could do it again i would refuse because i have had nothing but bad back trouble since, it was done 11 years ago.. So with my next 2 kiddies i went all natural and a bit of gas with the last bubba..

Has anyone else had back dramas after an epidural???

Megan - posted on 12/09/2009

I am terrified of needles!!! With both of my girls I had the local pain medicine that they put in your iv so I didnt feel anything. With my second daughter I was dialted 9 when they gave me my epideral so they contracts were the only thing I felt!!

Ayesha - posted on 12/09/2009

u have 2 be about 4 cm or more 2 get an epi and bout time u reached that point ur contractions are gonna be so intense that the lil pinch that ur gonna feel frm the epi is not gonna compare 2 those contractions

Jennifer - posted on 12/09/2009

I have had 4 kids, and with every one of them I have had an epidural. I'm not gonna tell you that it didnt hurt because it hurt like hell, but it was worth it!!! They put some numbing stuff on your back first, but I still felt it, inside of my back if that makes any sense. Between the doc. putting in the epidural and my contractions it hurt like hell, but I got a damn good nap in beofre I had my kids. Well worth it!!

Whitney - posted on 12/09/2009

It doesn't hurt. I think that the IV hurt worse than anything.. my arm and hand was so sore.

Cantrys - posted on 12/09/2009

I didn't feel the epidural at all. I was annoyed though, once I got into position for it, I wanted to push down and labour in that position, but they wouldn't let me!

Kim - posted on 12/09/2009

It's just like getting a shot, only hurts for a minute or so. They do give you numbing medicine but you still feel some pain. I would encourage you to ask for a low does epidural. With a low dose you can still feel the urge to push and do what you need to do to deliver your baby but if the pain is too much you can always add more but you can't take it away.

Robin - posted on 12/09/2009

With my first labor the epidural didn't hurt, but had to go the bathroom and was in the middle of a constraction. I may have even said I love the Dr for giving it. My second epidural was a planned one and didn't care much for that one, but the end result of seeing my son, made me forget the troubles I had.

Miranda - posted on 12/09/2009

Well I have had three kids and BAD back labor! It hurt I could feel it go all the way in. But those contractions r sooo much worse, that its definately worth it. Just hold very still.. Good luck to ya...

Amy - posted on 12/09/2009

It really does feel like an ordinary shot. I wouldn't look at the needle when the anesthetician came in though, I knew it would freak me out.

Amy - posted on 12/09/2009

It really does feel like an ordinary shot. I wouldn't look at the needle when the anesthetician came in though, I knew it would freak me out.

Tricia - posted on 12/09/2009

I think it depends on the person. With my first child I didn't feel it at all but then again I was in so much pain from the contractions I just wanted relief. The second time around I felt it, and it hurt just because of the fact that I have scoliosis in my back and the guy had to weezle his way around my back bone before getting it right.

Kate - posted on 12/09/2009

it never hurt at all for me cos i was in alot of pain nothing else worked for me the midwifes tried everything they could give me first

Bridget - posted on 12/09/2009

Why are you getting an epidural? Yes it does hurt, but not the epi itself, the series of local anesthetic injections hurt. An epidural tends to prolong labour, and increases the chances of you needing a c-section. What other pain relief are you using? I went through a very long labour, and only had the epidural in theatre before I had the c/s (I had to have one as was 7cms dilated but baby had her head impacted in my pelvis so couldn't descend)

Erica - posted on 12/09/2009

If you can....try not to get it too early on...it slows down the contractions

Krista - posted on 12/09/2009

they numb it first, so it doesnt hurt...for me it was just a lot of pressure...definately not the best feeling in the world, but so worth it to get rid of the pain of contractions...after i got my epidural, my contractions did not hurt a bit...and they had to tell me when it was time to push!

Jenny - posted on 12/09/2009

My whole experience was great. Yes once the doctor broke my water my contractions were fast, constant , and bad. But the epidural did not hurt just slight pressure. It took 10 minutes and then felt no pain. I was still feeling nothing when it came time to push and didn't even feel that.

Gemma - posted on 12/09/2009

Didn't have an epidural. Just gas & air and a water birth which was wonderful - just do what feels right for you at the time! I would say exhaust all other possibilities before having the epidural. Although I was a little sick with the gas. The water really makes a difference as had to get out to be examined during labour so i could tell the difference! Good luck & enjoy your bundle x

Elina - posted on 12/09/2009

Didn't hurt me:) Felt like a little bee sting:)

IVETT - posted on 12/09/2009

No it doesn't hurt because ur in so much pain from the labor when they stick u they wait for u to be going through a contraction, so u don't feel it.

Shelly - posted on 12/09/2009

No not really. once they set u up u dont feel a thing. I had one with my son and a spinal with my lil girl

Clarissa - posted on 12/09/2009

I've had three and no, it doesn't hurt. You will feel a little pressure and then it's done. You will feel a little bit of cold on your back and then relief!

I think we phsych ourselves up so much but in the end it's no different than any other needle we endure. Which is a lot while your pregnant. :)

Chantel - posted on 12/08/2009

honestly the contracions hurt that mch tht you dont even realise!! goodluck andenjoy beng a mummy

Stephanie - posted on 12/08/2009

no. but ever since i had my baby a year ago, i still get lower back pain

Melina - posted on 12/08/2009

u will be in so much pain that u wont even prolly remember the epidoral pain i no i dont n i gave birth in september

Elizabeth - posted on 12/08/2009

I just had my baby in November. I got an epidural and it didn't really bother me. I was in a contraction the whole time they were administering it. However, it depends on your stature how soon it will take effect. I'm quite small so it took maybe a full minute for it to kick in. Just try not to be too tense and you'll be perfectly fine.

Rosie - posted on 12/08/2009

didn't feel it at all, when they numbed the area first that stung like a shot but the epidural was pure bliss!! immediately i felt relief from intense contractions and i recommend an epidural to any expecting mother i know! pure heaven!!:)

Michelle - posted on 12/08/2009

Not as much as the contractions do! There is a little pain that feels like a shock,but that is pretty much it.

Michelle - posted on 12/08/2009

Honey it will be fine. I've had 6 kids myslef and coached 9 into the world now. Yes its painfull, and yes it can get very scary sometimes. But, almost everytime everything works out just fine and after you have that baby in your arms and you hear him/her cry and you see that little face, you truely due forget all about the pain, fear and everything elce. Its perfectly normal for you to be scared and nervous and freaking out. And even more so if this is your first baby. Sit back and take a breath, make sure you have everything ready and enjoy being the center of attenion, cause it won't last much longer!!!!!! LOL

Kayla - posted on 12/08/2009

I have twins and they told me that I had to have a C-section and I was so nervous about the epidural!! but honestly, I was sooo nervous and excited that i was about to meet my baby boys that I didn't even feel it!! Congrats and good luck!!!!

Alison - posted on 12/08/2009

Sweetheart, if you fear pain, you definitely want the epidural. It is well worth it.



But stop thinking about it. You do not have to make this decision until you are there.

Jane - posted on 12/08/2009

I have had two emergency c-sections and the epidural is the best thing ever. Didnt feel a think and it didnt hurt at all. They are fantastic!!

Erin - posted on 12/08/2009

Please don't get one. The pain of labour is the worth the result of the baby. When you feel your body, it is easier to know when to push. And the babe is so much more alert at birth without the drug in its body.



My son was 8lbs 6 oz and my 5'3" inch petite frame gave birth to him without any drugs. I laboured for about 8 hours and pushed for nearly 1 hour. I feel very strongly about this natural process. And I hope that you will at least consider trying a natural childbirth.



Good luck! And enjoy that new bundle. My youngest is 2 1/2 and saying things like "poopy butt" (of course learned from her 4 yr old brother). I miss that snuggle time.

Kathy - posted on 12/08/2009

Mine didn't hurt... she gave me 2 freezing needles in my back before she put it in, those stung, but all I felt was a little pressure from the epidural, like someone pushing on my back with their thumb and then almost like a little tug down. My labor nurse took over for my mom and fiance while it was put in to make sure I stayed in the position I needed to, and my fiance couldn't handle looking at the needle, thought for sure it had to of hurt. I was having the worst possible contractions it was great to be able to get some rest after being in labor since the morning before.

Marianne Amelia - posted on 12/08/2009

if they get it wrong it does in my experiance they stuffed it up big time but usually its fine dont do it if u dont have 2 unless u are being induced cause those contractions hert alot

Amanda - posted on 12/08/2009

Mine didn't hurt. They gave me two small shots right before it and I just concentrated on controlling the contractions while he finished up. I went in with the memory of a spinal tap and it was a walk in the park lol. You'll be fine!

Samantha - posted on 12/08/2009

nah, your gonna be fine i was so scard that i got really bad anaxity attacks and it sucks but the epidural is nothing, and once you have your baby all the pain goes away RIGHT away and you are so fulll of happyness!

Mattee - posted on 12/08/2009

Getting the epidural wasn't painful, it was weird feeling, but not painful.... But once mine wore off completely, my back was so so sore for about 4 days after I had my son.... Good luck to you! I hope yours doens't hurt!

Ashley - posted on 12/08/2009

I would choose the little pinch of the epidural over the pain of contractions any day! It feels like, maybe a little bee sting! You will do just fine! :0)

Naomi - posted on 12/08/2009

I had an epidural because I was in labour with Twins ..... My contractions were so strong I was so glad to get it and I didnt even feel it going into my back