What % of the pain did the epidural take away from you (for a vaginal delivery)?

Question

after getting an epidural, did it still hurt to push? or tearing?

Answer 1

I've had four children so far.

I had three deliveries with epidurals. They were all "patchy", which means that they only partially worked. I'd say they only took away about 15% of the pain. Pushing was difficult because I was focused on the pain and had trouble concentrating on the pushing. I was cut (episiotomy) with all three of those deliveries. Yes, it still hurt to push and when I was cut.

With my latest delivery, I had no epidural and no episiotomy. Pushing hurt, yes, but more than that it was a relief... probably the biggest relief I've even felt. I tore, but I was given a shot of local anesthetic so I didn't feel the doctor sewing me up. The pain of the contractions had actually leveled off before we got to the hospital and stayed the same for the rest of the delivery. Now, pushing hurt in a different way, but, for me, didn't hurt more than the contractions.

I'd say that the pain with my latest child was much more tolerable than with the first three. I think a big part of that was that I had gone through childbirth classes, had a tremendously supportive and active partner, had learned all I could about the birth process and had no epidural. I knew what was going on (what was happening to the baby, what was happening with my body and what should be coming next), I kept an open mind to the possibilities (c-section, pitocin, etc.), and I knew that once it was over, it was over. I focused on my breathing, which really and truly does wonders since it gave me something to focus on when the pain got very bad. I concentrated on my husband and his guiding my breathing and it helped immensely.

Not having the epidural let me feel everything and feeling it all helped me to make the most of it. If I needed to push, I pushed. If I needed to rest, I rested. I was able to let my body and not the doctor guide my labor and delivery. Doing that made delivery easier and much more productive.

Afterwards... my recovery from the epidurals was long. I had what I called "migraine" pains where the epidural catheter had been put into my back. I had these horrible pains for about a year with each of those births. With my latest delivery? Other than a little discomfort from the stitches I received when I tore, there was no pain afterwards at all!

We're hoping to have more children and, unless it is medically called for, I don't plan on having any epidurals in the future. I feel like I lost out in the labor and delivery experience by not being able to feel everything with my first three children. I feel like I was given a wonderful gift by being able to feel everything when I had our daughter.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I'd say it took away about 85% of the pain in the beginning (the first 15 hrs weren't too bad at all) I was even giggling with my dad! They give you a button you can push to give an extra dose- I had to push that a lot towards the end. The last 4 hrs out of 19hrs I was in labor, my epidural wore off entirely! I was almost fully dilated, and my baby just wasn't descending down... so I ended up being rushed c-section. (They had tried to replace my epidural, but that didn't work). Also, when they tried the spinal epidural for the c-section, I felt them poking at my belly testing it all out-and had to tell them, so they put me under. Honestly, I've never cried harder when my epidural wasn't working- my cousin had told me it would be heaven... and it was until it didn't work anymore. I guess that happens sometimes. They said next time someone special will have to look at my spine. I'm still a little traumatized from the whole experience, but it's such a blessing once you see your baby! Definitely worth it.

Answer 3

For me it took away about 95% of the pain. It also greatly reduced the amount of pressure I felt when the baby was moving down through the birth canal. I went natural for my first child but my other two I had an epidural. It still hurts when the baby comes out, but for me I could deal with it better because I had not been in pain for hours before.

Answer 4

It took away the contraction pain but the pressure was still there. I felt the doctor tear me too because by then the epidural had started to wear off.

Even though the epidural was a god send because i had horrible contractions.

Answer 5

I had no pain or feeling after I got the epidural. I didn't tear either. Afterwards though I regretted the epidural because when you get one they have to catheterize you (Stick a tube into ur uretha up to ur bladder because you won't be able to feel when u have to pee). I wound up with a nasty UTI because of the catheter. I loved the epidural when I had it but I suffered afterwards. I plan on going all natural for my next child because I don't want to put up with the same thing after it.

Answer 6

the epidural was great. I just felt this urg to push as tho i had to use the washroom. It felt so good as comparied to the hour before where i was in tears. Also about the tearing, i teared four inches and i couldnt tell it or feel it till the next day. GET THE EPIDURAL!!!!!!!

Answer 7

i was only 16 when i had my daughter so i would have been alot more fragile as i would not ave been developed properly and i was in labour for 36hours and i am being totally honest i had 2 epidurals and day both took away 100% pain from the waste down the stitches were a bit uncomfortable but no pain

Answer 8

I barely felt anything both times that I had it...It was great..I was in a lot of pain before getting the epidural..I don't think I could have done it without it.

Answer 9

Pressure was all, feeling like you have to poop, like a sinking feeling in your bottom when you have to push. The epidural took away my painful contractions, I wouldn't be able to deliver the baby without it, it was way too much for me as in pain wise

Answer 10

It took away 95% of the pain both times. On #1 they didn't have to give me a local for the episiotomy because I was so numb. On #2 I didn't even know I had torn along my old episiotomy until he was saying he was putting in stitches.