How much does an epidural hurt?

Answer 1

I felt a small sting when they injected me with the anaesthetic, before they insert the epidural. The epidural itself didn't hurt. Whatever you do though, don't try to look at it! I was about to turn my head to look after the first sting and my husband told me not to, it's the sight of the big needle that's more scary!
Try to relax too.

Answer 2

why be a hero!! Labour is extremely painful. With an epidural you just feel the stomach tightening with each contraction, you can sit in bed reading, getting much needed sleep etc etc. Why put yourself through the pain. I think the only thing that bothered me was trying to stay very still whilst they put the needle in (which didnt hurt any more than a normal injection). Oh and dont forget to ask for an epidural sooner rather than later as the anaesthetist sometimes gets rather busy and then its sometimes too late to have an epidural. Good Luck.

Answer 3

It hurts, but just as the others have said, MUCH much less than the contractions. Pure heaven after it kicks in (I think I heard the angels sing). Only side effect that I had was the nausea/vomiting. I would rather throw up than feel like my body was being ripped apart by the contractions. Also, we did a lighter epidural on my 2nd son so that I could feel the need to push and I enjoyed that. Not feeling the pain, but knowing when it was time and needing to push. You may also need a "boost" if labor lasts a long time. On the whole, it was WONDERFUL!!! Wouldnt have it any other way!

Answer 4

Not nearly as much as labor. I've had 1 baby natural and 1 with an epidural....The one with the epidural was like checking into a hotel, and checking out with a baby. I'm preggo with my third and due in a couple weeks, and I am absolutely getting an epidural!

Answer 5

It doesnt! Not compared to how much contractions do!

Having said that, I strongly suggest that you only opt for an epidural if you really really really, cant go on! I say this cos i got all the way to 7 cm without any pain relief what so ever, then i gave in and had the needle. By doing so, i delayed my labour by about 10 hours!!!!! To think, if i hadnt of had it, i probably would have given birth within the hour!

Just remember, only have it if you really (and i mean really, deep down) feel you cant go on. They really hamper progress

Answer 6

The only thing that hurts is when they numb the area to put the epidural in. After that it's dealing with pressure and the knowledge of what they are doing.

Answer 7

I had an epidural after 16 hours of labour and compared to contractions it was a tickle.

Answer 8

With my third baby I had an epidural. It didn't hurt at all. There are other things to consider, though.
After my daughter was born, the auxiliary nurses came to take me to my bed in the ward. I thought that the epidural had only worked on one side and thought that my right leg would be able to take my load when getting off the delivery bed. No chance! We all collapsed in a heap on the floor and couldn't stop laughing!
The other funny thing was when the anaesthetist came to give me the epidural, the obstetrician was there as well. I was asked to curl up in to a ball! - nine months pregnant and curl into a ball??? I just laughed and so did the obstetrician!
If this is your first baby, I would advise you to do without. If you have had babies before and it hurt, then give it a go.
Good luck and best wishes. I hope that it works out right for you.

Answer 9

When I had my epidural my legs hurt really bad until it kicked in...like a bad charly horse, but it was for only a few minutes. It hurt 1,000 times less than labor!

Answer 10

Not as much as contractons! The epidural doesn't really hurt that much, it's just trying to keep still while having a huge contraction!