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This is my first pregnancy and I've been a mess for the last month worrying about the labor process. My due date has come and gone and I feel totally prepaired now...except my fear of the epidural. I've heard horror stories about the headaches that some women get with them. Are they painful to recieve? Have any of you experienced the epidural headache? I don't think it effects too many people and I probably shouldn't worry about. I hate the fear of the unknown!!!

2006-07-25 10:57:24 · 27 answers · asked by Bert 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting Pregnancy

27 answers

You don't have to get an epidural!!! It is not mandatory at all - why sweat over something that might not happen! Childbirth is meant to be natural - and your body can stretch to accomodate the baby being born, so that you do not tear or have pain (yes this is possible). I'm not saying don't get it, if you need it then do so. But worrying about what might happen before it does, especially with childbirth is only going to make things worse. Relax, breathe deep - and try to look forward to what is going to happen. You are going to have a beautiful baby!!! It doesn't matter how it happens, the process isn't the thing to focus on - the baby at the end is what you should be focusing on. Remember why you are doing this, and it will all be good.

2006-07-25 11:01:56 · answer #1 · answered by springdewfairy 4 · 1 0

I had an epidural when I had my baby. It was nothing, I didn't experience any side effects - like headaches or back pains. I have heard before that some women do seem to get some side effects from epidural but I wasn't too worried. When the time came and I got one, I had to lie on my side so I couldn't see anything of course. The doctor just told me that would feel something like a jolt of electricity or something like that, on my leg , and I did, and it was kind of weird, but then it was over for like 2 seconds. Then I was fine, and I didn't even think anything of it. I was really grateful for the epidural because it really helped with my labor - my baby was big and I'm a teeny woman, so it was rather hard for me to push her out. I can't imagine pushing her out without any pain medication - I know it sounds wimpy, but I was so darn exhausted that day that I think the extra pain of a natural childbirth would really have driven me over the edge that day - so the epidural was a blessing.

Sure it's natural to have fear for the unknown - everyone has that fear. So what you can do is read up on it (which sometimes is not the greatest idea if it will only make you more scared of the epidural process), or you can just leave it to your doctor/s - if you trust them, then you won't be bothered by the whole thing.Just know that a lot of women go through it everyday, and they came out fine (I'm one of them). Besides, when you're in actual active labor, the last thing on your mind will be to worry about the effects of the epidural, you'll just be glad to be relieve of the pain and be able to concentrate on bringing that precious baby out into the world...and into your waiting arms.

Goodluck!!!

2006-07-25 11:35:53 · answer #2 · answered by hotmomma23 5 · 0 0

It is uncomfortable at first, and then you feel a warm sensation running down the lower half of your body, and then you go numb. I didn't have a headache, actually I felt great after my epidural. I was so relaxed that I fell asleep until I had to begin pushing, which was wonderful!! I couldn't walk for the rest of the day without some help, but the next day I was fine (with the exception of the soreness I felt). The spot where they give me the epidural itched for a few days, but that was it. To me it was worth the little tinge of pain that the shot caused. But it effects everyone differently, and there are different medications. When I had my second child, I couldn't have an epidural because the iron in my blood was too low. They gave me demerol, which caused the baby to be groggy and to have trouble breathing on his own for the first fifteen minutes of his life. I would much rather have had the epidural! I hope this helps you. Good luck. Ask the nurses at the hospital to explain the different medications to you and what the side effects are.

2006-07-25 11:08:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I had 3 epidurals. They give you a shot to numb your back before they put it in. You only feel a little coldness. I had a couple of minor headaches after my middle child was born, but I don't know if that was the epidural or not. I never had any side effects that I know of. I know one person that had bad headaches for about a month, but that person is always sick and a drama queen.

There is nothing wrong with using an epidural to help ease the pain. It will not make you less of a person if you don't use natural childbirth.

The anesthesiologists do lots of them everyday, and the risk is really minimal.

While I won't say I "enjoyed" childbirth, (I had 2 over 10 lbs) I liked that I didn't have to be in so much pain that I couldn't function.

2006-07-25 11:06:27 · answer #4 · answered by Jessie P 6 · 0 0

I was scared of the epidural too and it was so easy. Compared to the pain of contractions, I didn't even feel the epidural. Try not to worry - I think the chances of an epidural headache are pretty small and I think they can give you pain killers if it happens. Labor is scary, but you will have experienced doctors and nurses there to help you get through it - and when you hold your baby for the first time it will all be worth it !!!

2006-07-25 11:04:27 · answer #5 · answered by lissa4700 1 · 0 0

I had an epidural with my second child. I was about 4 centimeters when the nurse said it was time to get the epidural but I wasnt in pain yet. It hurt so bad. It was like he couldnt get the needle in right and it took forever. I was about to say just forget it. But after it was in I felt so relaxed and went to sleep. It was wonderful. Then when labor really started I began to feel pain and it hurt pretty bad because the epidural only worked on one side. But when the baby comes out all the pain stops. Dont worry about it. The baby has to come out. Too late to turn back now. Just stay calm and try not to worry too much.

2006-07-25 11:05:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

It quite is dependent upon your suffering tolerance and what you desire. I had an epidural with my first son. (I was once prompted) I determined to have my moment with out meds. Personally I consider your mom, why suffer the suffering whilst epidurals are so effortless. Trust me, I was once in such a lot suffering (I waited 'until I was once 7 cm. Approximately 10 hours into my induction) to get my epidural that I did not even believe them positioned it in. Plus after the epidural my exertions speeded up given that I was once now not combating the suffering. However, you continue to must keep off 'until no less than 6 cm earlier than getting the epidural or it would gradual down your exertions. Another plus (for my part) to the epidural was once I did not believe them sewing me from my episiotomy. With my moment I tore one path and had an episiotomy, and given that of the place of the tear the photographs to numb did not do some thing so I would believe them sewing me. Of path it wasn't as dangerous as having the youngster, however nonetheless uncomfortable. Anyway, for my part I could take a look at a few sort of suffering leadership. (I feel this time I am going take a look at meds. I have an attractive prime suffering tolerance and I desire to grasp what I like satisfactory.)

2016-08-28 18:02:22 · answer #7 · answered by peentu 4 · 0 0

WHOA getting an Epidural is EASY!!!

Do not worry about things before they happen!

I NEVER had any side effects from an Epidural.

Everyone is different.

Don't' sweat the small stuff.

If you hate the fear of the unknown then WHY are you pregnant???? LOL Having and raising a baby is constantly being in the UNKNOWN!!! LOL You will NEVER know what will come next!!!

2006-07-25 11:03:40 · answer #8 · answered by jennifersuem 7 · 0 0

My wife had hell when she had hers, the silly doctor had to make 6 attempts and left her back looking a mess, her friend was paralised for a few hours after labour.
Saying that, she would do it all over again as there was no pain once it was in and she enjoyed the labour rather than concentrating on the pain

The other types the other answerer is talking about are; gas and air, which is a mild relief and is useless when the pain really kicks in. same for TENS
Painkillers (opiates) can cause nausea and cross the placenta

Only 1% of women that have epidurals get the headaches.

Read a little before you make a decision.

The great thing is the body releases chemicals in your brain to make you forget all the pain so that you can do it again and again.

Good luck

2006-07-25 11:01:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

OK here is the 411 on the epidural:

How efective is the Epidural?
Epidural is generally considered to be the best method for controlling the pain of birth.Most women who use an Epidural report satisfaction with its effects.

Risk:
1)Increased body temperature
2)Has been known to cause head aches(although I never experienced head aches)
3)May not be effective(that happened with my first son, I could feel a majority of it, but this same thing applys to all the medications you can try)

2006-07-25 11:34:17 · answer #10 · answered by Tara S 4 · 0 0

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