Have you had an Epidural?

Question

My OBGYN is recommending me to have an Epidural when I go into labor. He said he thinks its a good choice. Have you had it done, if so what was it like?

Answer 1

I had a "walking epidural" with my 1st 2 pregnancies and an epidural with my 3rd. I personally prefer the walking type. It really removes the pain, almost completely. The difference is the regular epi numbs your legs as well, and then you are not allowed to walk and are confined to your bed. After I gave birth and my daughter was wisked away to the NICU, I wasnt allowed to get up out of bed until the drugs wore off and it took HOURS. It was the most helpless feeling in the world to not be there for my baby in her time of need.

I honestly wouldnt allow my OB to suggest any form of pain management until you can equally weigh each choice. Do some research, attend a birthing class and become familiar with your options. Its the easy route for the OB to have everyone get the epi. It keeps us still for HOURS, so there is less of a chance for malpractice.

Answer 2

I had an epidural and it was amazing, i was in labor for a long time and with the epidural I could actually take a nap!!! Then I didn't feel a think, just a pressure when it was time to start pushing. I didn't experience any side effects and I could get up and walk half hour after delivery!

Answer 3

I had one! It was great. I was really scared about getting it, but I dont remember feeling it go in. My doctor had me turn to my side and the doctor puts like a paper sheet over your back with a hole in it and then they clean the spot and stick it in. It went so fast. My whole bottom half was numb tho. I would recommend asking to get the catheder in after the epidural( thats how they did it with me.) The only thing is that i coulfnt move my legs, the nurse or my husband would do it for me. I did get a little sick when it was wearing off but I also had more drugs in me because of my c-section. But if you want a pain free delivery/ labor I would recomend it. You can also check out this site which states other forms of pain control along with an epidural. http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/Labor-Delivery-and-Postpartum-Period-Labor-and-Delivery-Your-Birthing-Options

Good luck.

Answer 4

Ive had it for both of my deliveries. With my first baby I was completley numb through the hard labor and even the delivery but after the birth I had a horrible headache for a couple of days that was a side effect.
With the second baby it did not work as well and I felt everything when the labor got too intense and it was time to deliver, but I didnt have a head ache this time.
Basically you will either lay on your side or sit up with your back pooched out. You feel a big stick as the needle/catheder(sp?) goes in and it can be uncomfortable but once that is over which happens very quick you feel relaxed and can get some rest for when its time to push.

Answer 5

Why is your OB recommending something that can be harmful to you and your baby? How does HE know what YOU will want or feel during your labor? He has never experienced labor and he never will. I would not recommend it because it can 1) lower your blood pressure too much and endanger the baby; 2) slow labor down causing more interventions like AROM (breaking your waters) which in turn put you on the clock to have the baby in a certain amount of hours or else have a c-section; 3) make it impossible for you to move or change position to get the baby into a better position for birth - laying on your back is one of the worst positions for labor and birth; 4) the drugs pass to your baby making it take longer for him/her to breath which freaks the hospital staff out and causes them to do all kinds of things to your poor baby; 5) it could cause nerve damage and make you have pain for a good long time or in extreme cases, could lead to temporary or permenant paralisys; 6) it may not work or only work on one side.

Still think you want one? I know if I knew all these things, I sure wouldn't. If you are able to go into labor naturally and be able to do what you want while in labor, like move, walk, sway, dance, eat and drink, then your body has the chance to keep up with the building contractions and the natural endorphins take over. If you feel safe and comfortable in labor (as comfortable as can be anyway), then the contractions are totally managable. Stay home for as long as you can so the medicos can't get their greedy hands on you.

Answer 6

With the epidural, if you do not know yet, the shot is injected right into your spinal cord. (your central nervous system). I think it is too risky. Your central nervous system controls all the functioning in your body. One mistake and you're in trouble. My friend had it done with her first pregnancy and she was going to go natural but couldn't stand the pain. One thing she said she did not like about it was you could not feel when you needed to push and so on. I've also heard of people that have had the epidural and now suffer from low back pain constantly. I hope you make the right decision your delivery goes well!

Answer 7

yes i have had it done! it is totally not as bad as people make it out to be. I was so afraid to get one cuz of all the horror stories people used to tell me. They will numb you first and then put the epidural in you. The numbing shot feels like a bee sting. I have never been stung so I cant tell you if thats what its really like but it is not bad. It feels like a sharp pinch. Then with the epidural, you can only feel pressure. You dont need to worry. your contractions are going to take away any pain you feel cuz thats all you will be consentrating on. hope this helped you out.

Answer 8

I had one birth with an epi and one without. I would definately recommend going natural. My second birth(the drug/intervention free one) was a much better experience. It was a fast, easy labor and delivery, whereas my epi birth was a long, drawn out procedure that led to over an hour and a half of pushing, a second degree tear, and a HELLACIOUS recovery. My drug free birth was fast, I birthed my second son in under five minutes of pushing, with no tear or medical help. I was up walking around and showered within an hour. It took me 2 1/2 hours before I could even FEEL my legs with my first birth. If nothing else I would suggest at least attempting labor without drugs...walk, squat, use a birthing ball, get into a tub...SOMETHING! Don't let the medical staff keep you strapped to a bed. If it then gets to be too much then get drugs....do't have them be your first choice!

Answer 9

I had my first 3 med free for various reasons, and the next two with an epi...OMG what a night and day diff...I never knew what I was missing...now that I do I insist on it and I plan to have one this time too. It actually made my labor go FASTER since I was relaxed and not fighting my body, and made for a more controlled birth since I was able to push and not push when told to...The three I had naturally I had either an episiotomy or tore with all of them...not so with the epi!!!

Answer 10

i have and its amazing i felt nothing butlike an urge to poop. that sounds sick but i had a great experiance. i kept trying to move backwards. i didnt even feel the epidural because i was havig such bad pains during my contractions. it went away and sooth sailing from then on. i wanted to drug free labour i couldnt do it and i am glad i had the epiural. i didnt even see the needle. ithink the hardest part is staying in a ball so to speak when you are having every minute intence pains. i never felt one pain and i will do it again when i haave my second too. i felt nothing no pain what so ever .