C-Section ?? I'm really scared about the epidural?? Also the pain afterwards,how will it affect me and my baby

Question

Please only experienced mother's. I've been told that the epidural hurts very badly, is there anything the doctors can do to help it not be as painful???? What's the best pain medication for after the
C-Section??? I want to really enjoy my new baby, but I don't want the pain of a c-section to interfer with the bonding of my newborn.. I'm so scared it's gonna hurt when they put the needle in my back what if I move or jerk while they are trying to put it in??? Please anyone with suggestions?? Or just give me some advice so I can stop worrying?? Thank You for your time and answering my questions...

Yes, I already know I have to have a c-section.....

Will they give me pain medication to take home even if I'm breastfeeding?

Answer 1

Relax, it is not as bad as everyone thinks. The epidural is really nothing. The shot is a regular shot and then the procedure is routine and very carefully admitted. Your Dr.s and nurses know what they are doing with this...so relax.

AFTER the section, you most likely will experience gas pains which account for most of the pain you will be feeling. Remember to get up and walk as much as possible (even if it hurts) and move from side to side in bed (left side...right side) When sleeping, try laying mostly on your left side. This will help dispell the gas that gets stuck after the surgery.

Enjoy your baby and don't be afraid to ask the nurses for help with changing the diaper or feeding.

I had two sections and I went home in two days and was walking and doing steps. Keep a positive attitude and if you hurt more than you think you can handle, call your dr. I never had to call...and you probably won't either.

Congratulations on your new baby.

Answer 2

The epidural did not hurt. They give you a shot of lidocane (like a shot of novicane at the dentist) which stings for a few seconds, but that numbs the area where they put the epidural needle. I remember feeling a little pressure when they were adjusting the needle, but nothing horrible. Honestly the IV they will stick in your arm will be the most painful needle you will get that day. Now that hurt. You do need to make sure you dont move so they can get the needle in the right place, but dont worry, you wont move. And I did not need a c-section so I cant give you any advice there. Are you sure you are having one? If you are not having any complications you may be worrying about that for nothing, but if you have one scheduled? Some people I know that had one said the first week is kind of lousy, but it gets better the second week and each week after. They also give you pain medication to help you out and recommend that you take it since it is safe for you and that baby. No reason to suffer.

Answer 3

I also had an epidural and a c-section. When they do the epidural they use a needle to numb the area first, so it really doesn't hurt much. As far as after the c-section... It was painful, but I don't think it really interfered with my bonding with my baby. It is a little harder to move around and a little painful, but you can still spend a lot of time with your baby. They will give you medicine to help with the pain, but it depends on if you are breastfeeding or not as to which medicine they will give you. I hope this info helped. Just remember that once you see that baby it will all be worth it and you won't remember any of the pain. Good luck in your new life! My best wishes!

Answer 4

Well if you're having a c-section, you're going to have to have an epidural or spinal block. Otherwise the pain of the surgery would be excrutiating! In some cases, doctors do give you general anesthesia (puts you unconscious) but as a rule, they don't do this unless absolutely necessary. I think most women take c-sections too lightly. Even though they're very common and relatively safe, it is still *major surgery.* They're slicing through your skin and fat, abdominal muscles and your uterus.

If you're having a vaginal birth, I can guarantee the pain from having the epidural will be FAR LESS than the pain of contractions. It's like a really really bad bee sting on your spine, but it takes only a minute or so (sometimes less) and then you're done.

I've had both (vaginal birth with an epidural and a c-section with a spinal block) and I FAR preferred the vaginal birth.

Answer 5

they give you a "local" right before they give you the epidural these days. This is a small shot around the area that the epidural goes in to numb you first. As far as the epidural it does not hurt that bad. I think the worst part of the whole thing is the stupid prick they give you on your finger to check your Iron.

When you get your epidural, they will have you bend way forward, with your head between your knees, or lay on your side and curl up in the fetal position. This will separate the vertebrates on your back. Then they will clean the area, give you a local, then give you the epidural. I jumped on my first one, but it didn't cause any problems. (i was dumb and tried to go natural) Like immediately after they gave it to me it was like I totally relaxed and quite freaking out. I have had a second since then and I will be getting a third. (in about 18 weeks)

Do not be worried. The pain is not very bad at all. If you go the c-section route you will have a very much longer recovery and they actually cut you open. I think that would hurt more.

Answer 6

I have had three c-sections. My advice is to ask for the epidural BEFORE they insert the catheter. With my second child they put the catheter in before I got my epidural and it was very uncomfortable and painful. ICk! If you get the epidural first, you will be numb and wont have to feel the catheter being inserted. The catheter is much worse than the epidural needle. Please insist on the epidural, NOT the spinal. There is a huge difference. Doctors will push the spinal on you because it doesn't take as long to kick in. This is all for the doctors convenience. You are paying them enough, they can wait the extra half hour for the epidural to take effect. It is much safer and a smaller needle. Also, I had no side effects from my epidural but two friends with spinals had terrible nausea and severe headaches after giving birth. Believe me, vomiting after an c-secion incision is not a good thing. Again, the medical staff will try to bully you into a spinal, but refuse to give in to them.

The pain, well, you will be sore, but I was always given percaset (oxycotin) which is stronger than vicodin. They will keep you comfortable. Make sure you get yourself moving and too the bathroom as soon as you can. It helps with recovery. Also, be sure to nurse, it shrinks your uterus and speeds recovery also. Good Luck. Don't worry about the pain, worry about delivering a healthy child. You can definitely bear the pain.

Answer 7

Needles are needles- and everyone has a different opinion of pain- I had a emergency C-section 17 yrs ago -my daughter was breech(bottom or feet first) she was 9lbs.14oz.21 and half inches long>big girl-I had an epidural- I hate needles-so of course I was already scared and tense- I know I remember it hurting then- but if you ask me now-was it worth it- I would say yes- Somehow or another ,I ended up getting a uterus infection- and had to stay in hospital for like 8 days- since then, I have had nothing but problems-4or 5 laproscopys, a partial, then full hysterectomy from having endometriosis, and still to this day have abdominal pain. But I am but one person out of ?MANY- there are others that have absolutely no complications whatsoever- I pray your pregnancy goes thru w/ no problems as well- everyone is different- for after surgery pain you will want dilaudid, or demerol- and have someone help you the first few weeks- cause it will make you drowsy- make sure not to get stiff- and hold a pillow close by for coughing, sneezing, laughing- hold tight to your stomach- you won't want to pop stitches/staples open- Good Luck- and God Bless- don't want to scare you- just keep you informed of all possibilities!! =)

Answer 8

First thing, stop worrying!! Everything will be fine. I had epidurals with both of my sons. The first one they put the epidural in during a contraction so it really wasn't so painful. The second one was a little painful because they planned my c-section and I wasn't in actual labor. Most women have no problem after a c-section. I was really sore (I had a tubal with my second one). It won't interfer with your bonding with your baby. I know they put a binder thing on me for a couple days afterwards and I just used a pillow to lay on my stomach when I held my baby. They used a Demerol pump in my IV afterwards, it would shoot the medicine in (I think) every 10 minutes or so. I was in the hospital for 4 days with both of mine, but these days I don't think you even have to stay that long if everything is okay. There will be discomfort, but it will pass and remember what a glorious little person you have.
Good Luck!!

Answer 9

The epidural does hurt, but not for long. It's actually a very weird sensation. Don't worry about moving or jerking. It's quick. The hospital will give you all the pain medication you need. The recovery is not easy, but it doesn't interfere iwth bonding with your baby. I was a nervous wreck when I had my c-section. (It wasn't planned) But it's all worth it in the end. The doctors & nurses will take care of you. I know it's hard to relax, but you'll be fine. Congratulations & good luck!

Answer 10

I had a C-section. Getting my epidural was not bad at all. My nurse had me sit on the side of the bed and hug her tightly (some make you turn to your side and pull your knees up to your chest). She spoke to me gently in my ear telling me everything the doctor was doing. I felt pressure when he put the needle in and it made my knee jump, but other than that it was not painful at all. Before I know it, I felt the medicine going in (cold going up my back) and it was over. Whole thing took like 5 minutes, tops. I was scared too, so scared I was crying, but my nurse was very compassionate and spoke in almost a whisper to me, and she helped me through it. Then when it was over, I was like, "Why did I do all of that crying over nothing?" But when you have never had it done, it does scare you to think about it. I was a nervous wreck! My mother told me never to get pregnant again!! :)

The pain after a C-section delivery is from where they have cut on your stomach muscles. It can be painful at times. You just dont know how much you use your stomach muscles until someone has cut on them. But they will give you some GOOD meds while in the hospital those three days. MAKE SURE YOU FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTION AS SOON AS YOU LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. The reason I say this is because I did not, and I was feeling so good because of the pain killers they give you at the hospital that if you dont keep that medicine in your system, YOU WILL KNOW when it has worn off. That pain hit me and I thought I about to lose my mind. My husband was at CVS at midnight, in the rain and cold, filling my prescription. So just stop off at a pharmacy before you go home, the baby will be sleep anyway, and get your prescription filled and take them when you are supposed to. You will be fine.

However, that wont stop you bonding with your baby. Girl when you look into that little face, all of your pain will go away. You will fall in love and everything else is secondary.

After it is all over, sometimes you will have some back pain-like right before it rains or when it is really cold out side-but nothing that Advil or Tylenol or something wont help ease.

Good luck and I just said a prayer for you!!