Epidurals...just wondering?

Question

What is the sensation in your legs and back once you get it? Is it COMPLETELY numb or just enough to ease most of the pain? Also with and episiotomy,...does the epidural help any if you need to get an episiotomy done?? curious about all this stuff.

Answer 1

I had an epidural with both of my daughters. I felt zero pain with each child. I could feel pressure, however. Feeling the pressure merely helps you to know that it's time to push. As for an episiotomy, I didn't have one, but I tore and felt no pain when that happened as well. Afterward, it takes a bit of time before you are able to move around, but during its effect, it's just a numb sensation throughout your lower body. Hope this helped.

Answer 2

I had an epidural and was completely numb of any pain and had a difficult time controlling any muscles from the waist down. It's what I would imagine being paralyzed would be. You wouldn't feel anything if you had to have an episiotomy done with an epidural.

Answer 3

for me at least the epidural was welcome relief. i was trying to do it naturally and needed a c-section after 18 hours of intense labor. i highly recommend getting one. you are completely numb. it is basically like your lower half isn't there. you can't feel anything. i couldn't wiggle my toes or move anything. my sil had to have an episiotomy and didnt feel a thing either. it saves you from the local shots in an already extremely "tender" area. maybe it was because i went through so much pain before i got my epidural but it really didnt hurt. getting the IV was more painful. one suggestion i do have is you will probably get a catheter, make sure your IV is removed the same time as your catheter. mine was removed without telling me that my body would loose the urge to urinate because of the catheter. when i finally peed i went 33 oz, a big gulp( the monitor your urine so that is how i knew how much) and it was the most painful thing i dealt with c-section and all. when that much urine builds up it is very painful and difficult to go. i only warn you about it because i wouldnt wish that pain on my worst enemy.

congrats on your pregnancy i hope you and baby are well

Answer 4

It made my legs completely numb.... for a short time. I think they turned my down or something, as it didn't work so great as pain relief.. not as much as everyone makes it to be... I don't know if it was me, or how they put it in... but I felt a lot of pressure and pain. I also had a episiotomy....they gave me 2 doses while they were stitching, and I still felt EVERYTHING! It was so painful. Finally they gave me a shot of something local down there, and that took away the pain. So if you need stitches, i'd ask for a local. Oh, and a episiotomy really isn't THAT bad.... I couldn't sit right for a day or 2 but after that I wasn't really in pain or anything. I used to hear stories online that made me so scared to tear or be cut, like how awful it was.. so I am just saying it isn't so bad. :)

Answer 5

I have had 4 kids and 3 epidurals. When they work, I highly recommend them. When you first get the injection, it is like cold liquid going down your body. Most I felt was slight pressure. Other than that you feel nothing. It does take a while to wear off, and it is a weird sensation not to be able to move your legs on your own. One risk is an epidural headache. I have had one. It is where the push the needle in too far and you get the fluid up to your brain. The solution to this is an epidural blood patch. They take blood from your arm and put it in your back, this will clot the hole. Even with that I still recommend it, The headache is horrible, but nothing compared to childbirth.

Answer 6

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT TYPE YOU GET. A WALKING EPIDURAL JUST TAKES MOST OF THE PAIN AWAY. YOU CAN STILL FEEL MOST EVERY THING ELSE. LIKE THE HEAD COMING OUT ETC. JUST AN EPIDURAL NUMBS YOU FROM THE BOOBS DOWN COMPLETELY. YOU DON'T FEEL THE EPISIOTOMY WITH EITHER. I HAVE HAD BOTH. BOTH HAVE THERE PROS AND CONS.HOWEVER WITH THAT SAID I HAVE NO PAIN TOLERANCE, I HAVE CHOSEN TO HAVE THE FULL EPIDURAL, FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT WITH THIS BABY I MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE A C-SECTION. EITHER WAY YOU DECIDE TO GO THEY ARE WONDERFUL. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 7

well I cannot really talk to u abt a personal experience as I still do not have any babies yet. But my sister had 3 babies and she took epidural in her last baby only. she said she still felt some pain when the baby was coming out but that's because she had 2 babie b4 n didnt take it. She says her friend had 2 babies and took it both times and never felt any pain. It gives u little pain in ur back later. sorry I do not know facts, but that's what I learned from people with such experience

Answer 8

epidurals are heaven sent thats all i can say.. they numb u completely. If you need an episiotomy you wont feel it. stitches.. wont feel them, dont feel much apart from i could still feel my baby coming out, and pressure from his head on contractions. Epidurals are awesome. no question.

Answer 9

i had one with my first baby,and ill ask for it before i reach hospital next as well,i could feel the contraction i could push easily , however there wasnt any pain.
after they removed the catheter i could walk on my feet in an hour and was fresh to hold and feed my baby.

Answer 10

Mine didn`t take and I still felt everything..My sister and my friends swear by them though..They say that it took all their pain away..Wish I had been so lucky!!