question about epridural?

Question

I am just wondering. I am 30 weeks pregnant and I have told my doctor when I do go into labor I want a epridural. I was wondering if anyone had their kids using the epridural, what their experience was? I have a low pain tolerance and I am afraid it is going to hurt when they put it in my back and that I might jerk or something and them hit the nerves in my back. I have heard they can paralyze you if they hit a certain nerve. Anyone have a low pain tolerance and had epridural? Did it hurt?

Answer 1

I had it done for both my kid's births. I have very low pain tolerance and tend to thrash and flinch, but even I managed to stay still for the insertion, which feels like getting a shot, even though it was done during contractions. I did fine.

Answer 2

Not telling you what to do, just pointing out some things ...

1. If you don't take an epidural, and don't take anything to stimulate contractions (PIT, Oxytosin, etc.), then your body will do A LOT to help you with the pain. But, if you do take the PIT/Oxytosin, it will make the pain MUCH, MUCH worse.

Also, if you go "drug free" then, your body will release after birth chemicals that help you forget that you were in pain.

2. If you do take an epidural, your chances of having a CSection go up dramatically. Its a huge difference.

And, even if you don't have the CSection, you will more likely have lower back and leg pain after the delivery. The reason is that when you can clearly feel what is going on, you can better listen to your body and not hurt yourself by staying in bad positions.

Read some natural delivery books. Know the statistics and what the differences are. Then, decide what is best for you.

Keep in mind that the doctor gets a tremendously larger pay check if you have an epidural and a CSection. Plus, he can schedule the delivery as he wants, and be home in time for the his favorite TV show. That doesn't mean that Epidural and/or CSection are the best choice for you and your baby.

Please read up on it, know your options, and then decided what is best for you.

The Sears & Sears book is by a Doctor and his wife (8 or 9 kids - can't remember which), and it gives you both sides of the Epidural argument.

Answer 3

Ok. Having a baby DOES hurt. A LOT. I had an epidural with both of my children, and let me tell you, if I could have- I would have taken that anestheologist home with me!!!! He was fantastic!! You know what? I didn't even feel the needle go into my back either time because they try to put it in during a contraction. By the time they put in the epidural needle, you just want the pain of the contractions to stop- and you thank the epidural man in about 30 seconds. It is true that they are working in a very delicate area- so you do need to hold as still as possible... but the relief that comes with that epidural is worth the few seconds that you have to hold still. Just have someone (hubby or mom or friend) that is with you hold your hands and concentrate on them while the doc is doing his thing. I chose an epidural because it was safer than some of the hallucinagenic drugs and it actually stopped the pain. Some of the other drugs that they give intraveniously (like Demoral) just make you feel like you are floating, you can't understand what other people are saying to you (think the teachers on Peanuts- bwah, bwah) and make you feel sick. The epidural stopped the pain fast. Good luck and congrats on your new addition!

Answer 4

I had an epidural with both of my babies. I also have a very low tolerance of pain and any sight of needles whatsoever. Trust me when the pain of the contactions come u will be begging for that epidural...I will tell u that the needle is verrrry long but u do not have to look, when the doc comes in just look at the nurse and not at the needle. The anest. and the nurse will both be in the room administering the meds to you. the anest. will tell u to turn around sitting up facing the nurse, the nurse will hold u tight in comfort while the anest. will put the needle in, at first u will feel a bit of discomfort but nothing like people talk about, I thought it would really hurt but i didnt even cry and im a cry baby for everything...the nurse just talks to you and tells u to breathe, u will feel a cooling sensation when the medicine goes in, and u will start feeling the contractions going away, all the pain of labor and the needle will go away in about 5-10 minutes..u will not feel a thing after that, ur legs nothing. Also the nurse holds u in a very secure position that u will not move and it will be easy, wayy better than feeling the baby actually coming out..OUCH! get the epidural..u will be glad u did, nothing to worry about. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I had an epidural with my first son, and I had planned it that way during the pregnancy. I was afraid of the procedure at first, too. But it actually went a lot easier than I thought. They numb the area first, which isn't too painful, and when they put the tube in, you don't really feel it. I felt tingling and dull pain down my back, but the anesthesiologist was able to take care of it and everything turned out okay. As far as the effectiveness goes, it made it to where I didn't really feel the contractions - I only felt a strong tightening sensation. But I didn't make it to hard labor. I wasn't progressing (nothing to do with the epidural), so I had to have a c-section. And they do warn you of the possibility of paralyzation, but it is very uncommon for that to actually happen. For my second son, I had a repeat c-section where they gave me a spinal instead of an epidural - but was done in the same fashion. And that ended up fine as well. If you do decide to go for an epidural or spinal, they will probably use an internal fetal monitor (the one where they stick it in the baby's scalp) which sounds worse than it is. My first son had one, and it only left a tiny mark on his head which healed in just a couple of days.

Good luck to you and your baby!

Answer 6

Well I am 37 weeks and I know your concern I to have a low tolerance for pain heck I have banged my knee before and passed out. I am scared also about getting the epidural as I hate needles but every women that I know that has had it done has said that the contraction pains are so bad that I won't even feel the needle they say after it sets in you feel like a new women. So I guess when they put it in just think of a special place you have been or bring a picture of your dog or something to keep your mind occupied. I wish you the best and a healthy baby. take care.

Answer 7

I had my first baby 2 months ago and had an epidural when giving birth, i absolutely hate needles and pain but the contractions were so intense that i didnt even feel the needle. After the epidural started working it felt like almost nothing at all, i dont think i would have been able to do it all naturally.

Answer 8

Hi Iv had 2 kids the first was a c-section so I had a total body epedural. They had me lay down on my side and curl up and they numed my back a little and put the needle in. It did hurt but the position your in its pretty hard to move to much so all wnet well
My secand child I had a v-bac and they made me sit on the edge of my bed and lean forward. This one hurt very much ( dont want to scary you to much) I started crying cuz it hurt so bad. So it depends how your docter is going to do it.
But I would defendly recomend the epedural. I still had some pain near the end but it would have been 10 times worse if I hadent had it. And after you dont even remember it so its all ok. good luck on the baby

Answer 9

I had an epidural with my daughter. I have a very high pain tolerance and they gave me medicine to take the edge off before the epidural. It was okay for me. I don't think they gave me high enough doses. I was sick after the baby but that could have been from all the excitement. Your legs go numb and you're very in and out. You're very drugged. It wore off on me about 2 hours later and I was able to use the restroom.

Answer 10

Honestly by the time I was ready for the epidural I didn't even feel it when they were putting it in. After they gave it to me, it was wonderful! I was able to get some much needed rest. By the time it started to where off, I was ready to deliver the baby. Don't listen to people's horror stories. You will be fine! Good Luck and congrats!!