Those who experienced epidural - is it a good thing or u would prefer something else next time?

Question

Can side-effects be really bad? I prefer answers from women who actually had it. Thanks.

Answer 1

The epidural man will always be my friend. I have had 3. I had no problems and none of my babies (4) had any problems.

Answer 2

I Had A Epidural When I Had My Daughter I Was In Labor 28 Hours And After 18 Hours I Could Not Take The Pain Anymore ... But I Was 19 Then And Now If I Have Another Child I Would Try My Best To Not Have One ... But Research All The Pros And Cons To Having A Epidural And Make The Decision You Are Most Comfortable With Then Again It All Could Change In That Moment When You Do Give Birth To Your Baby ... Good Luck With Everything ...

Answer 3

I had an epidural, all I can say is never again! It worked okay at first. All of a sudden it stopped working on my left side. I had one paralyzed right leg and could feel my contractions on my left only. It was a pain come pushing time because my right leg was completely dead weight and I had to lift it with my arms while trying to push. I must add that the pain in my back from the needle lasted for almost a month and made it hard for me to stand or walk upright. The back pain from the epidural was actually worse than my after pains.

I had something called Nubain also. Nubain was much better than the epidural. There was a side-effect though. It slowed down my labor a little but my labor wasn't long it (12 1/2 hours). It was sped up with Pitocin It still let me feel the contractions but they weren't painful and I was comfortable enough to sleep for four hours in the middle of my labor. I was an idiot and requested my epidural when the Nubain wore off.

If I could do it again I would've skipped the epidural and requested another dose of Nubain when it wore off. My son didn't appear to be affected by the medication, and even with the drugs my son was still alert and didn't oversleep or experience any side-effects.

Answer 4

I delivered two babies... both with an epidural. I was nervous and wanted to go natural with my first but then after twelve hours I gave in to an epidural. I was so afraid. Once it kicked in I couldn't of been happier. The baby was born less than four hours later and I was able to enjoy then birth and not fixate on the pain. With my second as soon as I was in active labor (my water partially bronke) I requested one. I was in labor less than three hours and I wasn't afraid of the pain or the epidural. Until it wore off on one side and I cried and said I wouldn't push until they kicked it back in (with a little more medication). It took affect in less than ten to fifteen minutes and I pushed for about ten and that was that. The one side never did get completely numb like the other side but it only hurt a little on that one side. I could only imagine the pain if I had not gotten the epidural! It does make you a little light headed when it starts kicking in though until you get used to it. The DR's and nurses are very good though and with todays medical science they can moniter everything. Some DR's believe that epidurals help the mother to relax so she can delate and efface more effectively. When I was scared with my first I got stuck at five centimeters for like four plus hours. Once I got the epidural I dilated much more quickly and it was great. I have no complaints... It makes the joy of giving birth much less exhausting and more pleasurable. The major risk is a spinal headache and that happens rarely. But the epidural generally doesn't make the baby drowsy like the other medications can (which I never took). You won't even get drowsy, it just numbs you. However if you have a long labor and need a nap you will be able to do so with an epidural. If you are considering then try to be openminded you may not need one but if you feel you do (while in labor) then don't be afraid. Good luck!

Answer 5

I had two baby boys and with both I had the epidural. I had no side effects. NOW, let me tell you...my first born was 10lbs 10oz, I tore from one hole to the other, and if I had not had the epidural I probably would not have been able to handle the delivery and would have had a c-section. I felt hardly anything with the epidural. By, the way...my labor was only six and a half hours long, and my son nursed for thirteen months. My second son weighed 8lbs 8oz, it was a smooth three and a half hour labor, with the epidural...practacly pain free! I am pregnant again and my only worry is not getting to the hospital in time to get my epidural.

Answer 6

The epidural was great. I could see my contractions on the monitor, but couldn't feel a thing. It was wonderful.

I was told it was painful, but I didn't find it to be so. I felt a prick and a slight tingling sensation in my one arm (nerve endings from the spine, I guess), but the contractions were much more painful than anything I felt with the epidural.

The only drawback was that I needed to be cathaterized after several hours after giving birth, because I could not contract the muscles hard enough to urinate. Again, I had heard this procedure was awful. Not so. Remember, you've just given birth to a child, lol, you can handle a small tube being placed into the urethra.

Trust me -- I am not very pain tolerant and have always been afraid of needles, and this was no big thing. I would definitely have had this done again, had I had another child. :) Good luck!

Answer 7

I had several epidurals and then with my last baby they gave me a spinal instead and i tell you what i would rather have the epidural anyday over a spinal.I had no problems with the epidural but with the spinal i thought i was going to die,my heart rate sped way up,i was vomiting like crazy,was so dizzy i could not hold my head up and my back still bothers me from where they did the spinal.I would always recommend the epidural.

Answer 8

I had an epidural with my first baby and during labor it was great but it left a lump about the size of a grapefruit on my back. 12 years later and it's about the size of a ping-pong ball and the doctors can't do anything about it. My last 2 children I went completely natural and I wouldn't change a thing. I don't recommend an epidural to anyone, it was the only thing I can honestly say I regret.

Answer 9

I have had an epidural twice. One for feet surgery and once for vaginal birth. It was awesome. It did not hurt when they stuck the needle. Never had any side effects. And labor was so much bereable that way. It was a really great experience. My mother, however, has an allergic reaction to anestesia and many narcotics too so she gave birth to all five (5) of us naturale!!!!

My baby was an excellent sucker since 5 min. after birth and I countinued to breastfeed him until 24 months. What makes a difference is if you try breasfeeding right after bith vs. waiting a few hours. Not the epidural. Ask any good lactation consultant. I had a great one and prepared myself before birth.Good luck

Answer 10

It was nice to get rid of the pain (25 hour labor), but I couldn't feel my legs the next morning, I couldn't stand up or take a shower which I REALLY would have liked to be able to do. Threre was also a piece that got stuck in my back and I had to wait till the next morning for the anestesiologist to come and get it out. That was pretty painful. I don't think I would have an epidural again (or at least I would TRY not to!)

Answer 11

First and foremost the epidural didnt really work for me, I had back labor and they said they couldnt do anything for that once the epidural was in. I had pain that felt like someone took a bat to my hips and for fun took a knife and cut me down my leg!!! I then had to have a c-section so the epidural at that point was giving me really bad shakes, I felt like I was going to fall off the table. They then had to give me something else and made me really out of it and didnt wake up till later that night.......I know someone who had a horrible experience with it as well, but everyone is different and depends on who is giving it to you as well.

Good Luck :-)