Epidurals.....Just wondering?

Question

I have had both of my daughters naturally. My now 7 month old gave me real pain while in labor and delivary. I was thinking about an Epidural this time. My question is to those who have had them. I am really worried about it not taking. How many of you have been hooked to the IV epidural in your back where you can push the button every so often, and what do you think of them. My best friend had one of these with her last child and said it was wonderful. I would like to have one of these instead of the way they use to do them. You thoughts?

Answer 1

I've had 4 epi's. Though each situation was different I would never do it without one if I didn't have to. With my first I had the epi & it was exactly how the docs wanted it to be, took the pain of the contractions away but I could still feel just enough pressure to be able to know when to push. With my second they had given me enough of it that I didn't feel anything at all & they had to tell me when I was having contractions & when to push. The best part about this was that because I wasn't in any pain at all I could completely focus on watching my son being born. When his shoulders came through the doc let me reach down & pull him the rest of the way out - was the coolest thing in the world! With my third I did get the epidural but my daughter was born so fast that it didn't have time to take effect (it only takes about 15 mins for it to set in). My water broke just as they got the epi in & my daughter was born 14 mins after my water broke. Guess she wanted outta there huh! But as soon as she was born the epi did take effect so I didn't feel them pulling out the afterbirth & doing all that stuff they do afterwards. With my fourth baby it did work but, I had to stay on my left side because every time I tried to roll to the right side the baby's heart rate would drop. The epi does work with gravity so I was only numb on the left side but, it was still better than not being numb at all. We found out when she was born that the reason her heart rate would drop was because the cord was around her neck, but everything was fine once she was born. I 100% suggest that you get it, it is wonderful. Good luck & congrats!

Answer 2

I had an epidural with my first child and not to scare you but it didn't work worth a crap! It didn't hurt so much when they put it in because they numb you but they put the tube in between the wrong vertabre in my back so the stupid thing didn't work. I told the nurse that I could still feel everything and so they called the anethesologist back in and he said that he must have placed it wrong but it was too late to fix it now. So I ended up needing an emergency c-section and they had to gas me to sleep because the epidural wouldn't work! Trust me honey it was NO day at the park! I had to go through all that for no reason! Now did you know that an epidural is EXTREMLY dangerous?! They are and not to discourage you but you need to know all the facts before you walk into this. If they place an epidural in a certain spot in your back they can paralize you for life! Not that they would do that on purpose but hey doctors screw up to! Just think about it and I would do some research about epidurals. Just go to www.google.com and search epidurals and it'll pull up all sorts of sites where you can learn about them. I am 38 weeks pregnant and I will NOT use an epidural. I know that natural is a lot harder but it'll be worth it when my daughter is born. And remember-everything that they give you while you are in labor goes straight to your baby through the placenta! I personally don't think that morphine is very safe for an unborn baby! They put morphine in the epidural! Kinda scary if you think about it. Good luck to ya and I hope for a safe delivery for you and your baby!

Answer 3

I had an epidural...I think they are great! I went through 17 hours of labour...and for probably the last hour and half I could feel everything, which was okay with me. I was happy I could feel my birth. I couldn't push a button every so often...I've never heard of that, good idea though. My epidural actually came out about 8 hours into it and they just put it back in. I think this next time I'll do it naturally though, if I can. What can you tell me about doing it naturally if you don't mind?

Answer 4

I had an epidural with my first child and it was perfect. It made the worst pain ever into nothing. After they gave it to me I didn't feel another thing. But with my second child the labor wasn't so bad until they gave me the epidural. It made me feel like I drank a lot of water and went running(sharp pain in the side) This may not be any help but good luck.

Answer 5

I have 2 children and I had a epidural with both. I think they are great. I not gonna lie it's kinda scary when they do it, but what's more scary then having a baby(the men couldn't do it) I say why go through the pain when you don't have to. Oh yeah don' worry about it not taking it might wear off if you have a long labor and if it does they will give you a another one.

Answer 6

Epidurals rock!!! I have had 2. With my son, 6 years ago, about an hour after I got my epidural I was fully dilated and could start pushing. I pushed for 2 hours because I could not feel where to push. I was completely numb. They stopped it and I could feel a little and got him out. I was not bothered by what happened, I was thrilled I was not in pain anymore. Also, you are completely alert and more relaxed and can focus more on what is going on since you are not in so much pain (my sister's word's so has delivered with and without). I didn't administer anything myself. I told them if I wanted more or less and they adjusted it for me. One year ago I had one with my daughter. It when smoothly as well. My only side effect was headache.

Answer 7

I didn't have the push-button type, but I did have a partial epidural and it was WAY less scary that I had heard. I loved being free from the major pain and able to focus on the wonder of the birth.

Answer 8

spike03--that pain in your side was probably a mis-positioned epidural. When they first put mine in, that happened to me and they immediately took it out and re-positioned it. As to the main question; I had an epidural and I don't understand why people decide to be in pain when they don't have to be. Anyways, I didn't have the "do-it-yourself" kind, I had a traditional and after a while, I refused the redoses because I couldn't feel my contractions to push. I advise to get the traditional so that you don't "overdose" yourself and make labor longer and harder (could lead to a c-section). It's easier to exercise self-control this way.

Answer 9

I had one with my last child. While in labor with her I was having full on contractions 5 minutes apart and wasnt dialating. I was getting worn out and the nurse suggested the epidural and I am glad that she did. It for my situation was the best thing. I was able to rest during the labor. I recommend it.

Answer 10

I don't know how they used to do them. Mine was as you described above. The way I feel about it is don't be a hero you don't win any bonus points in heaven for enduring the pain. Mine worked great. I put it off for a while because I didn't want to slow down the contractions, but once I got it I felt great. Close to the end I asked how much should I be feeling thru the meds and they said, "are you using the button?" "there's a button that gives me more meds? Great show me where." Then I was set.