I need help, I don't think I can do this.?

Question

I am 6 months pregnant and have been in the hospital several times due to complications. My husband and I are debating on whether I should use an epidural or not. He wants me to have one, but I really don't want to use one. I am terrified of needles. It's already bad enough for me because almost every trip to the hospital, I have been poked with a needle and each time, my husband has had to come and calm me down so they can inject me with the needle. I would rather go through the pain of the birth than have another needle stuck in me. What should I do?

I'm in the hospital right now. My husband and I went to a restaurant and there waas a fight and somehow I ended up in a "sudden" labor. When the cops came to break up the fight, the fight was already over and they thought that they had been called because of me. I was taken away in an ambulance. My labor and birth went very quickly. I did not use and epidural and fought them while they tried to put an IV in me, which they haven't yet. I gave birth to a baby girl. I was told that her nerves are raw, so I can't hold her yet. The doctors don't want anyone to handle her because it causes too much pain for her. Hopefully I will get to see and hold her soon.

Answer 1

I've never had any babies, so I don't know if I'll be much help, but I do know that you should always do what makes you feel the most comfortable. And yes, childbirth can be very painful (from what I hear), but if it's going to freak you out to have needles stuck in you more than it would to have your body torn apart and go through that pain, then don't get the epidural. It's also possible to do it without an epidural and be just fine. My mom has five kids and all of us were natural birth, without an epidural. She said it hurt, but that the pain went away as soon as she could hold us. Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 2

We have a lot in common with my first child I did not want an epidural either but my husband like yours beg me to get it. I had complication with my pregnancy as well I was on bed rest for the ending five months of my pregnancy then the doctor made me have her. I explain to the anesthesiologist that I was afraid of needles and how afraid I was of getting a needle placed in my spine, she eplain to me what she was going to do and ease my worries. She numbed the area before putting the needle I did not feel a thing other then the prink from the numbing. Oh my goodness my labor was so so so much better. The epidural is a blessing, not only will you feel better but your husband will be at ease as well see the pain hit you when it comes tenses him up. Congratulations on the family newest edition and good luck...get the epidural.

Answer 3

Go ahead and sign the release, for an epidural. That doesn't mean you have to do it, it just means you can. Then, if you can bare the pain do it without. Women have been doing that way as long as they have been reproducing, so its not bad for you to do it that way, But you may also decide that it hurts bad enough to get you over your fear of needles just this once, and you will have that option. Don't let anyone pressure you into doing one or the other. Do what makes you most comfortable. It is your body, your labor and your pain. Please don't let something like this, that really doesn't matter in the long run (cause either way you get the same result, a beautiful baby) ruin a wonderful experience.

Answer 4

I am terrified of needles myself. Even after two kids I am still terrified. If I seen the needle before they poked me with I always tensed up. But believe the epidural is the best thing in the world when giving birth. The ones that gave me mine never showed me any of the needles or the stuff they were using. But you just need to go by what your body tells ya when you are at the hospital to have the baby. If you can't stand the pain then get one. But if you are one of the tough ones then don't have it. But my advice is if you have to sign up for it or anything before going into the hospital I would sign up for it just incase you do decide that you want it. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Is this your first child? If so believe me, The epidural is no pain compared to the contractions!!! I was really afraid and upset when it was time to get my epidural. It really wasnt that bad though, it did sting a little and there was some pressure, but especially with a first child and the possibility of a long labor...you should go for it. I was in labor for 11 hours then I finally had to have a c-section. It's not that bad, not even as bad as having blood drawn. Honestly, the IV in my hand hurt worse than the epidural did. I wish you both the best of luck and Congratulations!

Answer 6

I know how you feel!!!! I hate needles and have done things to try and get rid of my fear, like get a tattoo... I am currently over due and i am going in on monday the 15th to be induced. If you can give birth naturally....OMG i give you major kudos!! its your decision. I am going to get the epidural and i am going to tell the person not to show me the needle before he puts it in... they do give you a numbing shot before they put the epidural needle so it does take some pain away. my sister has given birth both ways and suggests an epidural. If you think you can stand two pokes...i say go ahead, get the epidural... but if you don't think you can don't...the last thing you need is even more stress while in labor.

Answer 7

You can go without one, and then if you think you need it, they can give it to you. I had a spinal tap done, cause they had to do a C-Section, and I hate needles, but that wasn't bad. They even had to do it twice. I would talk to your MD though about the complications, he may have suggestions for you regarding that and the epidural. Having a baby is hard work, and if you can tolerate pain, go for it. But, they are going to be sticking things in you anyway, even without the epidural. They give you an IV when you get to the hospital, so you aren't needle free anyway. I guess you'll just have to pick the lesser of two evils, pain or needles.

Answer 8

i had 3 deliveries with epidurals. Then one child was born without it. I went from 3 to 9 CM in 2 minutes. The birth without the epi was the best one I believe. I let out one big scream and it was all over instead of having slight to medium pains for 10 hours this one only lasted in its entirity for about 5 minutes. If you choose to have the epi I found that if I do not look at the needle it is okay but if I do look at the needle I get nervous. I also had that needle in my stomache where they check to see if the development of the baby is okay. I did not look at that one as well at I was fine.

Answer 9

well my first epidural they had a hard time getting it to work but eventually did. with my second daughter it never worked so it was basically a natural birth.. i swore I'd go natural the third time but it was a 26 hour labor and i only made it 20 hours into it. i was a trooper for a long time and i sure didn't want them sticking me multiple times in the back for no reason.. but i couldn't take it anymore. trust me when you are in labor you will get to a point of pain that you wouldn't care if they gave you an epidural in your EYE if it helped the pain. i don't like needles either ,but you may very well start begging.. all I'm saying to you is its fine to go into it not wanting one, and letting the docs nurses know that you prefer not to have one but KEEP AN OPEN MIND. b/c you may very well change your mind.

Answer 10

If you can tough it out, all the power to you. Alot of woman who want to go "natural" go ahead and have an epidural when they realize how painful it is. Im pregnant with my first I am 33 weeks, I am also terrified of needles, But when I watch video of births I think....OMG I need an Epidural. So I am going to have one. I also have a few complications, So it looks like I might have a c-section. But good luck to you and your new little one!