im also scared of the epidural, because alot of people told me it can go wrong and that scares me?

Answer 1

talk to your dr about it.

i went for a tour of labor and delivery at the hospital where i deliver and they gave us all a packet of info about pain control.

i also started asking every woman i knew who had given birth whether they used an epidural or not. most women i know did and they didn't regret it.

it's a personal choice and i have a feeling i will get one, but i don't think i'll know for sure until i am feeling those contractions!!!

Answer 2

you know...every once in a while when it's cold I get a small pain in my back where they stuck me 6 years ago. It's really weird...not sure if it's from the epidural but I went 6 hours of labor without the epidural and I'd rather have the small pains every now and again rather than the rest of the other 6 hour of labor af the same pain. I'm pregnant again and I'm scared too..............

by the way btc...what were you in labor for like 1 hour and your baby weighed 5 pounds...it's ok to not want to be in pain. ask most doctors and they'll say that it's better for the baby not to go through all the stress and pain that labor causes.

It's not just the "easy way out" it's the smart thing to do so your baby isn't stressed. ie declined heart rates and all that jazz. That's why I got the epidural because my son was in jeopardy from all the stress...my doctor suggested it after 4 hours or I would have to have a c-section.

Answer 3

I was too. I was terrified. I swore I wouldn't have 1 coz of the risks and it just seems so wrong to thread a tube into your spine! However......
when ur in that much pain all concerns go out the window coz will do ANYTHING to make it stop!! And epidurals are the only way to make the pain go away (gas & air and tens only take the edge off and pethadine just makes you out of it and isn't a pain killer). Try without it for as long as you can but if it gets to much you really won't even think about the risks!! Believe me!!

BTW it felt AMAZING when it was in!! Mine worked great- all pain went but could feel contractions so knew when to push. Also would probably have needed c section if I DIDNT have epidural coz I wasn't progressing until I had it then I relaxed and my body got on with it so doesnt always necessarily mean more chance of assisted delivery.

Answer 4

What you need to do is research, research, research!! Epidurals ARE dangerous as are alot of procedures you go through during a hospital childbirth. I have had an epidural twice. Mainly form ignorance. the first time Imad eit to an 8 & still got one, that was stupid, I could have made it the rest of the way without one. The second time I got one & shouldn't have, it wore off 3 tiems, so it was a waste. Check this out for possible side effects of having one. I can tell you that next time Ihave a baby I will not endanger the baby or myself by having one. Good luck. I jsut found this second link. It's much much better! It has the pro's & cons of having an epi, so you can weigh it for yourself.

Answer 5

I'm a mom of 2, and for both I had an epidural...yes things can go wrong, but things can go wrong in every day life...they tell you to remain still when giving it...My first child was a c-section, my second was a V-Back (vag deliv after c-section)...I was induced with the 2nd...if I had not had the epidural, I would have labored for several hrs!...being induced it basically going from no pain at all, to hard labor in a matter of seconds (for me)...I labored like this for 4 hrs until I reached 4 cent....when I got my epidural, I went from a 4 to a 10 in less than 5 Min!...it helped me relax...Good luck and congrats on your baby!

Answer 6

I gave birth 3 times and didn't have a epidural ever. They say that there is a slim chance but still a chance a be paralized. Lots and lots os women get this and their fine but to me it is not a chance i'm taking. Plus everyone now a days is looking for the easy way out. which would be the epidural (not that anyones a bad person for useing it). When I take no meds my baby comes out and stays a wake for like 2 hours with his eyes wide open. it's a more special time for bonding and feeding(because if your baby is sleepy from meds then they won't feed right away). I think the pain is worth that special time.

Answer 7

I was scared of the epidural with my first child too. That was the thing I was scared of most. But once I got it I knew that I was scared for no reason. Yes, there are risk with it but, docs have been doing it for years & years now & they know what they are doing. I have had 4 epidurals & not had any of them go wrong. Only you can make the decision on whether or not to get one & you don't have to make it now. When you are in active labor & at the hospital you can decide whether or not you can handle the pain without drugs or you can decide to get it. Try not to stress over it now you'll know when your in labor whether or not you want to get it.

Answer 8

I don't know much about epidurals, except that I know a few people who have had them and been fine. But, just so you know, you don't HAVE to get an epidural. I think people are too quick to get them these days. I went completely natural and never regretted it for a second. I am trying to get pregnant again and don't plan on having one this time around either. But, whatever you end up choosing, just try to RELAX. The more you relax, the easier your labor will be.

Answer 9

Look, there's plenty that can go wrong with everything. The difference is the risk.

Yes, there can be complications with epidurals, but as with anything to do with any medical procedures, you are relying on the professional to do the best job that he can to make sure that everything is ok. So if you do need an epidural, the anaesthetist will know how much to administer, when to administer and how.

You have much more important things to focus on at the time - delivering your baby.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Actually, my epidural did "go wrong" but I survived and I'm ok. The anesthesiologist had trouble gettting the needle between my vertebrae...he stuck me 3 TIMES! And STILL didn't get it...so he left and basically was like oh well guess you can' t have an epidural. I refused to accept this, so they were able to call up a more skilled anesthesiologist who apologized and got it on the first try! Believe me, I'm petrified of needles and hospitals, but you get a certain calm because you know that you are about to perform such a miracle. Good luck!

Answer 11

epidural can be scary, but only if you look at the needle. haha. JK. the epidural doesnt always work, it didnt work for me. but the demerol does. i havent heard any serious horror stories involving epidurals regarding anything other than their effectiveness. if you are worried about the pain during child birth try getting a midwife or a doula. it helps to have a coach from what i hear. and if you are worried about complications, stay as close to the hospital as possible when you are getting close to your due date...or even schedule the birth. alot of people do that now. GOOD LUCK!