Epidural.. yes or no?

Question

I have a ways to go before I really need to start thinking about this but I have heard so many different points of view from mothers that I know.

My friends tell me "Girl get that epidural"

My mother said the epidural was painful.

My sister said with one child she had just her vaginal area numbed and no epidural and with the second she had the epidural.
For her, the first child was a more painful labor but she didnt feel as much in pain afterwards. With the second, she didnt feel much because of the epidural but said she was in much more pain after it wore off and that the actual process of getting it was a bit painful.

Yet another friend said she went 100% natural with no epidural and no numbing.

Share your experiences here.

It doesn't really matter to me about any moral standpoints on the issue, I really just want first hand experiences and your opinions of what you went through so when it's my turn,I can weigh my options based on my own needs.

Thanks gals!

Answer 1

Well i'm 39 weeks and this is my 3rd pregnancy. In all honesty the thought and image of that needle and catheter in my back frightens me more than the pain of labor!! It's personal choice I guess also depending upon your pain threshold. I'd say mine is pretty high and hell I know how labor hurts....still, I made sure that on my birth plan I indicated that I do not want an epidural. My first birth was completely natural. I don't know how I did it..I was in labor for 40 hours and the second I had IV pain medication that just took the edge off the contractions. That worked surprisingly well and I would defiantely go for that again. I've heard too many people complain of back pain for months after an epidural. I don't want to go through that as well as sleepless nights caring for a newborn! I guess you will make your decision when you're actually giving birth...good luck!

Answer 2

With my first pregnancy I had an epidural which caused me to sleep for around 4 hours before I had the baby. It pinched a little when they put the needle in my back but it was well worth it, I wouldn't have wanted to go another 4 hours with the pains from the contractions.
With my second pregnancy I also had an epidural which I don't think was worth it at all because it didn't even have time to work before the baby came out. As soon as I sat up on the side of the bed to get the epidural I could feel the baby pushing really hard so they did the epidural and 10 minutes after I laid back down the baby's head was out. The day after I had my second child I had my tubes tied and they did another epidural for that. I was in pain after having the epidural done for the tubal. I constantly had severe headaches for about 3 weeks after that. I can still feel the spot in my back where they did the epidurals now...it's kind of like arthritis or something cause it hurts when the weather gets cold.
Good Luck and congratulations.

Answer 3

I have had 3 children. Two of them I had an epidural. One of them i didn't. The first epidural didn't even work. I still felt some pain. The second, i had no epidural. The labor process was easy, and it made my body feel better afterwards. My third baby, I had an epidural. When it got to the last few minutes of labor, when he was coming out and you can feel that big a** head hit up against the nerves in your rectum, you are going to feel every bit of that. Epidural or no epidural. The labor pains are not that bad, If you have a good support system, and good nurses, it will go easy. If this is your first, it is going to be a little rough. So I suggest that you get it your first go around, especially if you cannot stand pain. If you decide to have another one later, then you can do it or not do it.

Answer 4

I have 3 children and I am pregnant now with my 4th child. I did not take the epidural with my first two children however, with my 3rd child I was in so much pain and I could not take it, so I asked for the epidural.

When they gave it too me it was such a relieve.. But I am really considering to not take the epidural this time because it's a risks that you take.

I have heard things about doctors mistakes and the epidural going wrong. I have been lucky with the epidural however, I do not want to take that chance to keep doing it.

But if I go into labor this time and the pain is as bad as my 3rd pregnancy or worse, I will asks for that epidural because I can't tolerate pain. People say why would you have all these children if you can't take the pain.. and I tell them that the pain goes away, once the baby comes out... Congratulations on your pregnancy and (Good Luck)!!!!

Answer 5

Epidurals affect everyone differently. All of my friends have had babies already, I'm just starting-10 weeks-, and I will opt to get one. Only one of my friends had a somewhat bad experience with it...her only complaint was that it never took effect. We all fear the headache that epidurals can cause after birth and the pain of the needle and that we won't be able to feel to push and fear that it will slow down labor. But the headache has a solution, the pain of the needle is generally numbed with a local before insterted and even if you can't have the area numbed first (I won't be able to, allergic), my guess is that the pain from the needle is going to be significantly less than pushing a 7pound living creature with bones through something soft and the size of a lime. The slowing of labor bothers me a little bit but I guess if I have to lie there for hours and not be in pain or be in pain for half that time, I'd take double the time with no pain.

Answer 6

With my first baby I had an epidural and it is more like a little stab in the back that goes away as for more pain after???? It is going to hurt you just pushed a body out I think regardless it is going to hurt must all depend on the baby and mom. With my second they didn't give epidurals just this shot that works for 2 hours so I was scared it would wear off and I almost waited too long I couldn't relax my back enough. I did but it took some meditating to do. :) I would get the epidural but I hate pain. Congratulations.

Answer 7

I have personal had both. With my first child I was scared to death not to mention only 18 but the pain was pretty bad I personally think that it made the labor experience pretty smooth and I was able to concentrate on my child instead of the pain. On the other hand with my second I wasnt able to have a epidural because I was dilating to quick and I had straight natural which was horrible. But , the outcome (meaning a healthy baby) outweighed everything else. Despite what everyone says each labor is diiferent some easy some hard it all depends on what you want at that particular moment because you can plan all you want but in the delivery room everything changes. Congratulations hope this helps!!

Answer 8

I am 25, had a baby girl 11 months ago. My water broke and I went to hospital. After a few hours, contractions started. I ended up throwing up and that's when I decided to get the Epidural. It didn't feel too good when they were doing it, but honestly, it was just having to sit up through my contractions that was the worst. As soon as it kicked in, I was able to talk, laugh and enjoy the pregnancy much more. I DID feel when I had to push, it was about 4 hours after the epidural. I pushed through about4 contractions and out she came. I know everyone if different, and I was lucky to have had a wonderful experience. Whatever you decide is totally up to you. I don't think I would have enjoyed labor without the epidural. Good luck!!

Answer 9

I had three pregnancies that ended with having three epidurals. I had no problems whatsoever. I am extremely glad I got them, even though it was a scary looking procedure (when I saw what it included). I'm sure everyone can find some horror stories, but that is the case with every medical procedure. Just do your homework if you decide to have one. Make sure the anesthesiologist is qualified. Talk with him/her. I did. I made sure they all understood how I felt about it, and asked lots of questions before they worked on me. Everyone is different. Every pregnancy is different. You will not know whether an epidural is the right or wrong thing for you without hindsight, but you can go into the decision educated. I think you are smart to ask for others' experiences. That is likely the best way to make an educated decision.

Answer 10

I had two natural births. They were great. My recovery was quick. I only went to the hospital when the babies were ready to be born - 18 minutes in the hospital for the first (!) and 60 minutes or so for the second.

My friends and sis who've had epidurals ALL have lingering pain at the insertion site - and some have more problems than that. Also, epidurals slow down the birth and mess up the natural flow of labor. That's a nuisance to you and a danger to the baby.

Using any medical intervention seems to increase the risk of the need for other interventions.