Anyone else afraid of the epidural?

Question

I'm due to have my baby any time. Like 98% of the women I've talked to have encouraged me to get an epidural. I'm terrified of having a needle stuck into my spinal column. There is always a slight chance of paralysis, right? I could possibly jump or twitch when they put the needle in me or something. Anyone else scared or was scared of it?

Thanks so much to you all. You've really helped me put my mind at ease. I'm gonna hold off on the epidural as long as I can.

Answer 1

I was scared of it too. Don't believe the paralysis thing though. The only way that will happen is if the janitor puts it in. :o) It didn't hurt at all, it just kind of felt funny. Don't be scared of it, it's SOOO worth it!
I was scared too, then I found out it wasn't bad at all. :o) Good luck, you'll do great!

Answer 2

This is going to sound really strange, but I have had an epidural block. I had both knees worked on at the same time and this was well before the scope.

The hardest part of the epidural is when the first needle is put into your spine. You get what I can only describe as an electric shock, but that is the last thing you feel. The effects are almost instantaneous.

What your afraid of is the possibility of being paralized from the waist down because of a bad blocker. Yes there is that chance, so my suggestion is to interview the anethesilogists at the hospital you will delivery your baby at. When you find one with the credentials you want and you like, make sure they are nurses call that doctor when you have the baby.

One last thing and this was pointed out by a previous answerer. Ask for the catheter after the epidual, not before. You won't feel it going into your bladder.

Answer 3

I don't know about all hospitals, but I know they will ask if you would like epidural, and you have a choice to tell them when. I waited till the pain was too unbearable, tried a mild sedative at first then went with the epidural..I don't remember any pain when the anesthesiologist inserted the needle (advice: don't look at the needle because maybe you will jump a little at just the thought of them inserting this thing in you) Otherwise than that, your mind will be preoccupied on bringing this new joy out into the world, Good luck and Congrats!

Answer 4

I'm a RN in a maternity ward and theres alot more that ask for the epidural than not.....If you have a experenced anesthesiologist then there is hardly any pain when they put in the cathter.. I had two epidurals during the birth of my daughter... another bad thing with the epidural is that you can experience some back pain where the cathter was placed... my daughter is 16 mths and I still have problems....but it will be alot easier if you already have an epidural and have to have a c-section or if you get it before you have bad contractions

Answer 5

I was also scared of having an epidural,but believe me it is worth it. I was in so much pain and I was hurting so bad,and the doctor asked me if I wanted an epidural. I was scared,but when I was getting it done they went through all of the steps and told me everything that they were doing. I didn't feel a thing and it was like heaven after I got it. I wanted to kiss the doctor for making the pain go away. But the decision is yours. You will be ok. It doesn't hurt. I know I went through alot more pain than this.

Answer 6

I am on my second pregnancy and I looking forward to my epidural. When I was in labor with my son, I requested an epidural. I couldn't stand the pain. Usually you need to be four cm dialated but upon request you can ask for it before. They epidural was done during a contraction so I didn't even feel it at all. My husband was more terrified. lol. they do it during the contraction so you wont feel it. Trust me...I just felt the soothing relief. PS... request that the catather be put in after the epidural

Answer 7

Ask your doctor about the likely hood of paralysis. There is risk with everything. Sometimes you can't have the epidural because you are too far along in the labor process and it wouldn't help. My friend has 2 kids and she said the epidural helped her a lot. On her 2nd kid she wasn't able to get one and the pain was pretty powerful.

The likelyhood that paralysis would happen with you is probably very minimal.

Answer 8

I was more afraid of the epidural than I was of the pain. I don't want anyone coming near my spine with a needle. Consequently I never got an epidural. The pain wasn't that bad. I'd do labor ten times over not to have to throw up for nine months straight again. I took the Bradley method of Natural Childbirth and it really helped. They say 86% of the women who take Bradley classes are able to have a natural childbirth. I highly recommend them.

Good luck to you.

Answer 9

I had two kids and had the epidural myself, and I was afraid of needles, but first of all you do not see the needle, unless you ask. I would not ask though. They can even put one in while you are having contractions. They also give numbing medicine, and that's what hurts, only for a few!! But after that's done, you are pain free, well most of the time. My last birth, they had only numbed one side, so I had pain in this little part of my belly, so they just came in and did another. Enjoy your birth, cause its a greatest thing in the world. Good Luck to you and your Little One!!

Answer 10

I did not have an epidural, but I had a spinal block. I had c-sections with both of my kids. I was scared to death but it really was not as bad as I thought it would be. I was getting myself all scared for nothing, you just barley even feel it, and if you are having contractions then the small feeling of the needle will not bother you. The Anesthesiologist knows what they are doing

Answer 11

When you start having contractions you'll be ready for a epidural. I wasnt scared to get one. I was in so much pain that I kept yelling for the dr to get it. I hardly felt anything from the needle. You feel it for a few seconds then you forget about it. I kept having contractions while the dr was putting it in. After that, I didnt feel anything. Got the epidural at midnight and couldnt feel anything at all til 7am. I couldnt even tell I was pushing. I didnt even know I had my baby til I seen the Dr holding her up.