2007-01-30 04:06:09 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Women's Health
If you are really scared, I am terrified of needles myself, you can ask for a shot of lidocaine to somewhat numb your back before they actually insert the needle into your back. The lidocaine stings a little but then someone could do anything to you can you wouldn't feel it. I usually get them when I have to have an IV and honestly you could cut my hand off and I wouldn't feel it.
2007-01-30 04:33:52 · answer #1 · answered by chaddysboo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What happens when you have an epidural?
Before your epidural, you will usually need to have an intravenous ‘drip’ inserted into your arm so that you can be given fluids. This is just a safety precaution.
The anaesthetist will ask you to sit hunched forward over a pillow or curled on your side. This is to allow the spaces between the bones of your spine to open up as much as possible so that the anaesthetist can find the epidural space more easily. It is vital not to move throughout the procedure.
After cleaning the skin with antiseptic, the anaesthetist will inject some local anaesthetic into your back (which may cause a slight stinging or burning sensation) before inserting an epidural needle into the gap between two of your vertebrae (bones) of the spine to reach the epidural space. When the epidural needle is inserted you may feel a pushing sensation, but it will not hurt.
A catheter is then inserted through the needle before the needle is taken out. The catheter, which is taped to the skin, then allows the anaesthetist to deliver the anaesthetic and top it up, if required, to keep you numb.
The exact procedure for an epidural may vary from hospital to hospital. An epidural may take up to about half an hour to be administered and take effect, depending on the strength of the anaesthetic delivered. You are still conscious but cannot feel any pain.
The effects of an epidural anaesthetic do wear off, but how long they last depends on the strength of the anaesthetic delivered and how much of it you were given: it takes several hours for an anaesthetic to be eliminated from the body.
2007-01-30 05:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was terrified of the Epidural...I had thought that I would rather endure the pains of pregnancy than have a needle in my spine.
Then labor started and I handled it very well until they broke my water. Within 2 hours I had enough, the epidural was not bad at all and I barely felt it. I think the labor pains were so intense that I barely noticed the epidural. It felt like a regular shot and it only lasted a second.
My friend had a scheduled cesarean and she said it was more pain full. She was not in labor and it was the only thing she could focus on.
2007-01-30 04:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recently had a baby and had an Epidural. It's not painful, but it does have a strange sensation. They numb you before they inject the needle so it just feels like someone is pushing on your back. Then within minutes, it starts to take effect. The lower half of your body goes completely numb. You could be having the strongest contraction and not feel a thing. When your actually delivering the baby, you don't feel any pain at all either. It's great! So don't be nervous!
2007-02-03 03:02:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was scared of it too, but when the contractions get painful you will not even think about it. They will use a small needle and numb your back, then all you will feel is pressure on your back. it will feel like someone is pushing very hard, it isn't painful pressure, just pressure. I have had 2 epidurals and will have my 3rd in July when I have my baby. If the contractions hurt and you don't want to tolerate the pain, then I say go for it. You will be able to look back on it and say you were glad you did it, there is nothing to be frightned of.. Best wishes.
2007-01-30 04:55:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a scheduled c-section and it felt like more pressure than anything, not really painful but if you have a choice and can get a spinal instead do it. Smaller needle and doesn't have to be as precise in area (it took them 3 tries with the epidural). If your in labor when they do it I think the hardest part would be sitting like they want you to through a contraction but oh the sweet relief after it takes effect.
2007-01-30 05:27:06 · answer #6 · answered by veronica 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An epidural is a lot less painful that having natural childbirth. The pain is not that bad & only lasts for a moment. The relief is almost instant - or it was for me anyways.
2007-01-30 08:00:22 · answer #7 · answered by leashell 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll be honest with you, It was pretty uncomfortable but I would rather deal with the pain of the needle than labor. I was petrafied but it didn't hurt nearly as bad as I was thinking it would. You'll be fine. Just breathe deeply, hold still like they ask and you know what, if you need to cry go for it! (I did) not because it hurt that bad but because I was scared :)
Good Luck!!
2007-01-30 05:24:13 · answer #8 · answered by scj1719 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not nearly as painful as labor.
2007-01-30 04:40:08 · answer #9 · answered by Sylvia H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋