Epidural??

Question

okay, I am 39 weeks pregnant and I plan on getting an epidural when I go into labor but I have some questions about it. For those of you who had one what were your contractions like before the epidural and then after, like a comparison. Also I have heard that if you move wrong that it can paralyze you...is this true? at what point should I ask for one? and lastly would you do it again?

Answer 1

I had an epidural with my son. In the weeks before going into labor, I was very scared of all the risks, not to mention scared it would hurt having a huge needle in my back. When I went into labor, I was in such excruciating pain I wouldn't have cared if they said they needed to cut off my right arm to ease the pain, I would have done it. So, my all my fears about the epidural went away when compared to the amount & severity of the pain of labor. You won't care about the risks or the possible pain-they are nothing compared to the pain of labor. I'm 30 weeks pregnant now, & there's absolutley no question about it-I'm getting another epidural.

Answer 2

First of all I want to say good luck with your birthing experience, I have had 2 epidurals. My 7 yr old was 3 wks late and when i finally did go into labor i was so delirious from the pain that I didn't even feel the needle go in. All I know is that all the pain was completely gone. I just felt pressure like a had a strong urge to have a bowel movement. My 1 yr old was a lot quicker my pains went from dull to intense within an hour same thing I didn't feel a thing, and the epidural was welcomed. You what is the worse thing besides the labor pains were the doctor giving u constant hand checks to see how far u dilated. But the epidural doesn't hurt the baby it just makes it more comfortable for you.

Answer 3

I have 3 children and a 4th on the way.. I have not used the epidural with my first 2 pregnancies however, with my 3rd pregnancy I asked for the epidural because I was in so much pain and I could not take it. When you are getting the epidural, you should be still because you do not want to risks having any injuries.

I am pregnant now with my 4th child and I am not sure if I am going to take the epidural or not. It depends on how the pain is, if I could take it I will have the baby naturally however, if it's too painful, I am not going to hestitate to asks for the epidural. Good Luck to you!!! Congratulations....

Answer 4

I have 5 children and I have had 5 epidurals. They give you the epidural when you are about 6 or 7 cm. dilated. The contractions were starting to be quite painful and after the epidural What a relief! An anaesthesiologist does the procedure and it is perfectly safe. If it wasn`t they would have to inform you of this before. Don`t worry! Congratulations on the baby.

Answer 5

Let me see if I remember this correctly. The worst pain I ever felt in my life was trying to deliver a 9 lb. 5 oz. baby with no working epidural. I had to have four before one finally took. After it kicked in, the nurse had to tell me when I was having a contraction. I felt absolutely dead from the waist down.

I asked for my first one when the pain was just too much. It lasted about an hour. The second and third ones didn't even work. The fourth one finally started working.

I have had a child since then, much smaller at 6 lb. 8 oz., and had an epidural. I'm expecting my third child in January, and I will be having another epidural.

Congratulations on your baby!

Answer 6

I had an epidural with both of my pregnancies. The first was only after I was at 4cm this was a long road(16 hours) but let me tell you it was wonderful. Second birth I got one the minute I was admitted into the hospital it was wonderful as well. I think that you still feel the contractions but definitely not as intense. I was able to sleep through most of the labor and I would recommend them to anyone. I have never heard of the paralyze thing but it's definitely a question to ask. Furthermore, the anesthesiologist probably as done thousands of them and is very comfortable with it. I would do it again and again.

Answer 7

Most hospitals won't administer an epidural until you're at least 5 cm dialated because the drugs can slow down labour. Once the epidural is in, it takes about 15 minutes for the full effect, after which you won't feel anything below your chest. If your labour progresses to the point where you feel "I can't do this any more" that's a sign that the birth is imminent and they probably won't give you the epidural at that point.
Paralysis after an epidural is rare, and even then it's only temporary. Don't worry about it.

Answer 8

I wouldn't ever think of going through another labor without one!!!
The pain went from unbearable to nothing in just a few minutes after I got one. The pain before was so bad--- it's undescribable. It sort of goes from around your back, like bad period pains, and it wraps around you and takes over your entire body. Not fun.
I was only 3 cm dialated when I asked for my epi.

They had me get on my side, and first pricked me with a shot to numb the area. I couldn't even feel the needle going in to my spine. And the first prick was like a mosquito bite compared to contraction pain! They put a catheter in (like a tube, and it regulates the medication going in). I had a little remote-control thing with buttons that I could push to up the medication, or take it down a bit, if I actually wanted to feel something.

I slept through most of my labor. The only side effects were: a bit of nausea (I threw up just once), and also my stomach got very itchy. They say that's normal and you shouldn't scratch because you can't feel what you're scratching and many people end up scratching themselves raw. (although the itch wasn't unbearable).

About paralysis... there must be a once-in-a-million chance that that could happen. I've never heard of it though. Highly unlikely if you've got a real anesthetist!

You can ask for an epidural at any time, I think. Although if you're too far dialated (9 or 10 cm), i don't think they'll give you one at that point. So get one earlier if you don't think you can stand the pain. And yes, I'd definitely do it again. Without thinking it twice.

Answer 9

I've had one and I'd take it again if I needed it. My Dr. determined when the right time was. If the anetheiseologist is well qualified then the risk of complications are low(parlaysis) the risks will be explained to you. Before the epidural the contractions were painful, after the proceedure I couldn't feel anything from the waist down. It was a relief and the birthing process was a success. I now have a 115 lb, 15 yr. old boy!

Answer 10

Take the epidural! I did with my son and it helped dramatically. As far as the horror stories of getting one, I also heard the same stuff prior to deciding on it. When it came time to actually administering the epidural, the anesthesiologist reassured me that I had nothing to worry about. As far as timing goes, the nurse and/or doctor will ask you (if you have not decided for sure by then) at a certain point, but I can't really remember in centimeters exactly how far you have to be before the option is not available.