Ok this is my first pregnancy and I was wondering if you get the epidural and when its time to push how will you know how to push if you can't feel anything? Also I was told that the nurses push on your stomach to get out blood clots or something of that nature and I heard it hurts bad. How long do the nurses do this? I have previously asked labor questions be4 but I am 37 weeks now and I am getting to that worried point cause it's almost the end for me. So if anyone could tell me anything about the questions I asked or about their labor experiences in general it would be a big help. Thanks.
2007-02-05 02:27:05 · 19 answers · asked by poetryprincess 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
You will most likely be attached to the monitor if you get the epidural. You will be able to see the contractions on the readout as they rise and fall. The nurse will tell you when to start pushing, and at that point you will need to push hard from your lower stomach area to maximize the pushing,almost like having a B.M. Don't push from your chest!!! An after the baby they will manually push on your stomach (at the top of where your uterus will be after the birth) about once every hour or so to begin with. They do this to expel clots and to make sure your uterus is going down to where it's supposed to be. It is uncomfortable but they don't kill you LOL. Keep taking the Motrins they offer you and if you need something stronger ask for it...and good luck hon!!!
2007-02-05 02:36:10 · answer #1 · answered by Proud Mommy of 6 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to get the epidural, it is optional. Personally I've never had one and I've gotten through 3 labors just fine with out one. You can push better if you can feel your body. The pain is a good motivator. Unlike what you might have been told it is not unbearable pain. It does hurt, but it is not unbearable. I like the narcotics to take the edge off of contractions (this is the worst part, not the pushing). It leaves your baby (and you) less groggy and disoriented after birth. And they do push on your stomach (actually they massage it) to loosen the clots and such, but after giving birth the pain is (comparablely) minimal. It's more uncomfortable than anything. It'll seem like you are in labor for ever and when it's over you'll find yourself thinking how fast it went by. Good luck and happy birthing!
2007-02-05 02:58:19 · answer #2 · answered by autumnofserenity@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if I'm abnormal or something. I had really painful contractions and had planned on trying to deliver "naturally". I finally gave in to the epidural. I was in labor with my twin boys for 18 hours and slept for probably 8 of those hours. When it came time for me to push, I did not feel anything. The nurses had to tell me when to push b/c I didn't feel the pressure that they said I was supposed to feel. Anyways, don't worry about it too much. The belly pushing thing wasn't bad either. Hope this sets your mind at ease.
2007-02-05 02:43:46 · answer #3 · answered by samiam246 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an epidural and I felt great. I was able to tell when I needed to push, but I know some people are too numb and they can't tell. Everyone os different. The doctor did push on my stomach afterwards to help get the placenta out. And when they check on you later that day, even the next day, they push your stomach to feel if everything is ok. I never heard that it was bad for you. Good luck and congrats!
2007-02-05 02:34:07 · answer #4 · answered by tmac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
having yourst baby is scary trust me, i was 16.when you get the epidural and you can't fell anything and when its time to push, the doctor and nurses hook you up to a machine with straps. which moniters your contractions and when they see your having one. They'll tell you to push. And you have to push 4 ten seconds at a time.. don't worry no pain.. And after you have the baby. The nurses have to get the after birth out. If they don't you will hemorrige. the nurses push and bloop the after birth falls out. But you'll be too busy with the babyand you probably won't know they did anything. you'll be numb and on medication.. oh i recommend that you also get a shot called stadall it helps take the edge off the pain..
2007-02-05 02:51:41 · answer #5 · answered by jaimie l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't have an epidural, and it wasn't that terrible. The pushing on the stomach doesn't hurt that bad, either, so don't let people scare you with horror stories about labor and delivery. It will be fine. Don't worry, you'll know how to push, birth is an instinctive process, you will know exactly what to do. Good Luck and Congratulations!
2007-02-05 02:32:23 · answer #6 · answered by Lotus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I had my epidural, I still knew when to push, it's more of a pressure, but it doesn't hurt...but that doesn't happen to everyone.
Sometimes you can't tell when to push, so the nurses watch your contractions on a monitor and tell you when to push.
After the baby is born, they come in every couple of hours and push on our stomach. For me, it didn't really hurt, probably because I had a vaginal delivery...but my mom had a c-section and she said it hurt. I can't remember how long they do it for, but it does happen a couple of times.
Just remember to relax....honestly, the thing you will remember the most is once your child is born, all the stuff before, fades pretty quickly once you have the little one to concentrate on.
2007-02-05 02:37:52 · answer #7 · answered by kittynala 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is going to depend on how efective your epidural is. With my first son I felt everything. Second son I just felt pressure and knew it was time to push and when. If you dont feel anything, then the nurse or doctor will say you have another contraction and to push. I never had any nurses pushing on my stomach. They felt it to check my uterus but thats it. Good luck and congrats!
2007-02-05 02:32:37 · answer #8 · answered by michaellandonsmommy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will tell you when to push and believe me even with the epidural you will feel pelvic pressure.
The nurses do press on your tummy after birth, on and off until you leave the hospital, they are checking to make sure your uterus is contracting back to it's original size, it's uncomfortable but not extremely painful.
Hang in there, it's not that bad.
2007-02-05 02:34:25 · answer #9 · answered by wheezerthill 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can get the epidural when your at least 10 centimeters i was in labor for 22 hours I'm not going to lie the pain was unreal. i would no do the pushing on the stomach thing i cant tolerate pain that well but if you can then hey your Way tufer than me. you usually start pushing when they have given you the epidural good luck
2007-02-05 02:50:55 · answer #10 · answered by dirt77 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋