Im terrified of needles! i scream whenever i get an butterfly I.V.. I'm terrified of going into labor as it is, and petrified of getting the epidural. , i know im better off getting it than enduring the labor naturally and i know it'll help ease the pain from labor but what about the pain from the shot itself? I know theres alot of pain in my future but can sombody ease my mind about this? Can anyone describe like on a scale of 1-10 how bad theirs hurt and/or give me advice on how to get my mind off the needle and pain while its in progress?
2006-08-16 15:51:08 · 15 answers · asked by mickey_8806 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Many persons hv different phobias. I will suggest u to surf on the following websites. Here u will find the symtoms of different phobias, remedy to those phobias. I hope much of ur curiosity about phobias will be satisfied.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/-phobia
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/phobia_symptoms_types_treatment.htm
http://www.phobias-help.com/
http://www.hypnosisanswers.com/typesofphobias/
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/phobias.html
Please visit the above pages. I hope it helps u.
2006-08-19 16:11:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have had 3 babies & 3 epidurals...my mother worked for doctors offices my whole childhood and always brought our immunizations home and gave them to us, and I am DEATHLY afraid of needles. I remember getting a shot in the top of the leg one time and I am almost 30 and I swear I can still feel it!! HA! I totally understand your concern, because the unknown is scary, but I truthfully and honestly can sit here and tell you, that the epidural isn't bad at all!! The memory that I have and I even asked my husband just now is that while you're having a contraction and trying to sit up to get the epidural is the worst part!!! It isn't the stick of the needle, or the injecting of the medicine at all!! I do recommend getting the epidural drip or the one that stays in your back to help for the entire length of your labor, because the what is called the "walking epidural" is where they give you an injection and that's it, can very easily wear off before labor is over. That happened with my 9 year old. Anastegeologist are so smooth at what they do, you will be sooooo glad you get it!!! It will allow you to enjoy child birth more and be more energetic and rested for when the baby gets here. Like I said, I have three little ones, 9, 7 & 2 and had epidurals with all three and would do it again tomorrow!! Great luck to you and I promise that it will be okay and you will do great!!!
2006-08-16 16:21:59 · answer #2 · answered by Ketty 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your I.V will hurt more than the epidural. I have had 2 babies and both times did not have a prob. My back was a little sore a few days afterwards from it, but that is it. Calm down and relax. Try not to think about it. If you get it in your head it is going to hurt then it will. On a scale of 1-10 i say a 1 if that. When it is time for it just think about your baby you are about to have and close your eyes. It will be over in like 5 mins. You will prob be in so much pain from the contractions you will not even care.
2006-08-16 15:59:10 · answer #3 · answered by housewives5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had 4 children. 3 the natural way, and 1 with a caudal (like an epidural) I can tell you that one of the best things you can do for yourself is learn as much as you can on what to expect in labor and childbirth. Take a lamaze class at least. Read, read, read. Everyone will have a "story" about how their labor went. My daughter had and epidural last year, and she too was not keen on the needle thing. But she did just great. She said it did not hurt much, and after it took affect, everything was MUCH easier! You will not be able to see the needle at all, so that will help. Just breathe, and keep focused on the reason why your body is going thru this. Your precious baby will be in your arms very soon!!! You will be amazed at this whole birth process. God made us women well able to handle whatever we must go through. Now adays, modern medicine makes this so much easier too! Relax, you will do just great!! Kiss that baby for me!
2006-08-16 16:05:24 · answer #4 · answered by susna 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had 3 babies & with two of them had an epidural. The first time, the difference it provided was AMAZING!! The second one, the guy took forever to do it and it didn't provide as noticeable of effects. The last one, there didn't seem to be time to get it, and the pain was probably the worst. I say all that to say, every experience is different, I too do not like needles, however, it is not like you see it, and although it may be uncomfortable going in, it is not intolerable, and the relief it can provide is AWESOME!!!! It looks like I may be having another baby in April, and I will probably go for an epidural. So hope that helps and best wishes to you!
2006-08-16 18:27:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question and I was the SAME way!!! I had an epidural with both my kids and I am SOOOO glad I did --in spite of my fears!!! I had my hubby stand in front of me and hold me while they did the epidural in my back. It felt like a bee sting at first --no worse!! I was surprised how easy it was --being how scared I was!!! My second baby I was a pro!!! I would say a 3 on a scale of 1-10 --Probably because I was expecting it to hurt worse!!!
2006-08-16 15:58:44 · answer #6 · answered by jiffypop88 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't feel the epidural going in---they give you a local that does sting. It feels like someone has put a lighter on your back for like 3-4 seconds. Then you don't feel the epidural going in. There isn't any reason you can't go natural and then if you need something ask for some stadol or choose for an epi later---you may find that you surprise yourself.
2006-08-16 15:58:31 · answer #7 · answered by s91601 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully you'll get lucky like I did with my two pregnancies...I had AWESOME nurses who hugged me while I was having my epidural and spinal block (for my second pregnancy). Both of them smelled wonderful, and I just concentrated on how nice they smelled, and how I'd soon have a baby!
I won't lie...getting an epidural is worse than getting a shot or having blood drawn, but you know what...once you have a full blown contraction or two, you'll welcome the pain of an epidural being put in with open arms. :) Plus, it's quick, and as soon as it's in and working, you'll be feeling gooooood when they give you the "test dose" of meds to see if it's working. (I was given Stadol. I wish I could get ahold of that now. LOL)
In the long run, you'll be glad you did it.
2006-08-17 03:25:59 · answer #8 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't tell you what it feels like, though I can suggest you work on your breathing and focus on something else during that period. If you plan on bringing music...make sure a favorite song of yours is playing when they put the epidural in so you can focus on the music and not the needle. I'm sure you'll be fine hon. Just remember it's all to help you bring your little one into the world as safely and comfortably as possible.
Best of luck!!
2006-08-16 16:44:32 · answer #9 · answered by mandabear3121 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the previous poster, the IV hurt worse than the epidural. You can feel it, but I would not call it pain at all. Not even discomfort. Just a different feeling.
2006-08-16 16:41:31 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was the same way... it not that bad its actually 2 needles. 1 numbs the area and the other is a cathiter the feed the medicine as you need it. I screamed that I didnt want it and cried when they came in to do it but II honestly didnt feel it. its mind over matter
2006-08-16 18:21:42 · answer #11 · answered by donnagirl8112 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋