epidural question....?

Question

im planning to have an epi but i dont want to put my baby in risk of having it.. have your experienced having an epi... ?

Answer 1

I had it with both of my kids, ages 5 & 7, and everything went fine. In fact it was sooooo much better after getting the epidural. Ultimately you need to do what you're comfortable with. Good Luck!!

Answer 2

I had both my children with an epidural and both my daughters had then when they gave birth. It's one of the wonders of modern medicine and I wouoldn't want to give birth without them. As with any medical procedure there are some risks and the doctor will discuss those with you before hand and at the time the epi is administered. (I've never heard of anyone who had any problems with it myself.) Supposedly having an epidural can make your labor last longer than it would have otherwise but my experience hasn't shown that. But even so, I'd rather spend more time laboring pain free than a shorter amount of time in intense suffering. The actual injection is slightly painful but that's temporary, the only hard part is that you have to stay still while they do it even if you're contracting. My daughter who has severe scoliosis even had one without complications. So if you're considering using epidural or not, my vote is, go for it!

Answer 3

Actually, you would be more "at risk" than the baby. Epidurals can cause massive headaches, nausea/vomiting and can also rarely have even more serious side effects. Anesthesia will also make your baby very sleepy/groggy and you will be less aware of the sensations of birth. Some women find it hard to push effectively when everything is numb.

Don't get the epidural unless you absolutely have to. The pain of labor has a purpose. It keeps the mother focused on the work she has to do.

I had epidurals with my first two babies and then did a natural birth with my little daughter 3 months ago. Boy was it different. I felt everything. Not always pleasant but I felt so proud when it was over. And because it was so painful it is seared into my memory. You remember pain like that.

The pains of labor have been endured by billions of women since the dawn of human history. They did it and you can, too. It's worth it after you see your baby. Trust me.

Oh and your husband will respect you that much more. After what he witnessed, mine was absolutely in awe. He said he could never do that! That made me feel pretty special as a woman and mother. And I felt like I made a sacrifice for my baby going through that pain. My father-in-law is disabled with back problems and I prayed and offered up all of my labor pain for him.

Answer 4

Epidurals do get rid of the pain, however, they do create some complications. Number one is that any chemical introduced to your body is changing biochemistry in ways that no one understands, they just observe the changes and know that it works.
The number one thing that I don't like is that your body is created to birth a baby, and you totally take that instinct away and put it in the hands of doctors and nurses who are depending on machines to tell you when to push.
Epidurals slow down labor, increasing problems with heart rate and respiration, and also increase chances of csection.
Epidurals force you to stay in bed, again slowing down labor and removing your chance to move around, which in turn reduces pain and increases speed of labor.
I had two epidurals. One led to a csection because of failure to progress. The other was fine. During my third epi, it didn't take and actually caused more problems than it was worth. My children since then were born without, using methods from hypnobirthing and the Bradley method. If you can believe it, the hypnobirthing totally helped me relax and ignore the pain, and I was up and moving around during the labor and delivery of the placenta.

Follow your heart, and good luck.

Answer 5

I have had 2 epidurals however my last one was a self-dosing epidural and it was so much better you could still feel everything it just put a dull on the pain. Both kinds of epidural are not harmful to the baby though. My doctor said she gives them pretty standard so that the mother has an easier time to push and doesn't tire so quickly that way the baby is out sooner.

Answer 6

I got an epidural with both kids.
With my son I got it and was pain free for my labor and delivery and my son was fine. I had a quick and easy delivery.
With my daughter I got the epidural about 10 min before I started pushing and it didnt take effect in time and I felt everything. Baby was fine, but my back was in serious pain for about 2 weeks because your supposed to lay still after you get the meds and I ended up pushing right after. But the delivery was fast and easy....just painful. I got both kids out in 3 pushes.

Answer 7

I had an epidural with my daughter...this is after waiting LITERALLY 16 hours in fairly intense labor.

It's not a bad process. The doctor showed me how it's done and it's nothing to big to worry about. He was very good. The thing is, you can't move during this process but he said to tell him when I'm having a contraction so he could stop what he's doing for it. He just inserted a catheter into my back with a needle. He then took the needle out and the catheter remained. After that, it didn't bother me. The medicine took effect rather quickly, but he did have to up my dose b/c I still had slight feeling in my left side. I can say after that, I was able to get some sleep. That was nice.

One part scared me. He did some sort of test and it made my right leg LITERALLY kick out...kind of like a reflex. I freaked and said, "Oh crap...sorry...I moved." I didn't know he did that. That felt like a slight shock through my leg, but that's it. The worst part was the pressure I felt on my back momentarily.

Towards the end of my labor, when I started pushing, they shut off my epidural. Granted, it was still in effect b/c it takes a while to wear off. That was the best thing b/c after I pushed my daughter out, I was able to walk to the bathroom (slowly) within 30 minutes. And I got stitched up without feeling it...that's always good.

As for the risks to your baby...there really aren't many. I would consult with your Ob/GYN to see what the possible risks may include for you since everyone is different.

II can say as for the pushing part....if the nurse does her job you TYPICALLY won't have problems. Mine was checking me constantly to see if it was time for me to push. When she knew I was getting close, she had the epidural turned off. I could feel when it was time to push but it wasn't bad. I think the reason I didn't feel him sewing me up was b/c I was too busy concentrating on my daughter. It was great!

Good luck!

Answer 8

i had one. I tought the epidural lady is the best person on the planet. I was in soo much pain before I had it,afterwards I was actually able to get some sleep. The first sleep I had in three days and the last I had for several months. It did not seem to effect my baby at all. I say if you want it get it,if not don't. I don't think I,or my husband would have enjoyed the birthing process as much if I did not have one.

Answer 9

I have had an epidural and I would have it again. After all, I wouldn't have a root canal with out pain medicine no matter what the risk was.

Giving birth without pain medicine isn't what makes you a "real woman." Being a good mother does.

Answer 10

I never had an epi so I don't have an experience...but my cousin had one and they gave her too much of the medication and she couldn't feel her legs for like 2 days...I don't think it has any affects on the baby except it makes them real groggy....