what dose it feel like to have an epidural?

Answer 1

Honestly you are not really thinking about the pain of the epidural. If you are in full labor you are feeling the contractions and looking forward to the relief it will give you. YOu will probably feel the prick of the needle they use to numb the area. The rest of the time you are just trying to get through the contractions. I had four children and three epidurals. (Not by choice I wanted one for all of them but the second time the hospital only had the dr on call and they didn't get there in time.) Ask for it as soon as you get there so they can start all the paper work. Check wiht your dr before and make sure that your hospital doesn't require you to watch a video or something while you are in labor. Good luck.

Answer 2

Some women say the epidural is painful on the otherhand,it did not hurt to me..with my first pregnancy everyone told me it would hurt and to be ready for the pain...it was not pleasant but it didnt really hurt..I say getting an iv is way worse,,u may feel some stinging and a sharp pinch like when getting your ears pierced but thats it...if u are not very good with pain it may be different for you,every woman reacts differently to different things.

Once they insert the needle they will administer the medicine into your back which at that time will feel cold and kinda weird at the same time...as the medicine is getting inserted you will start noticing the pain subsiding from the contractions and start to get a numbing feeling from your waist down...sometimes the they will ask u if u still feel pain,if u do they may give u a little more...(with my first they didnt ask *i only got half of one from hospital rules*) with my second they asked if i could still feel the contractions which i did so they gave me a little more then i didnt feel anything...within 5 minutes approx. u will be in heaven,u wont be able to feel a thing *not even your baby coming out*....it is 100% better than feeling the pains from the contractions...good luck!

Answer 3

I hated my epidural. It took to my right side 2 hours before it took to my left side so I still felt the contractions, but only on half of my body. My right leg swelled up so badly that I couldn't walk for 12 hours after labor.

You have to have a catheter when you have an epidural and the ham fisted nurse scraped my urethra (where they insert the catheter) and for a little while after having my daughter it was unpleasant to wait too long to pee (it wouldn't sting or burn when I urinated, it was just really irritated.)

I am not having an epidural with this baby (I'm due in October.) I'm going to have this baby in a birth center to avoid the temptation of an epidural, and my midwife knows other techniques to keep from needing pain meds.

Answer 4

A whole lot better than what it would feel like if you didn't have an epidural!!! I started having just the minor contractions.. and that was plenty enough for me... I couldn't imagine going through childbirth without one!! It's just a shot in your back, and it really doesn't hurt that much.. it's a relief from the contractions. It's wierd when you cant feel your legs afterwards though! I've heard of others who think they're going to fall off the bed too!!

Answer 5

i don't know what an epidural feels like but i have 2 sons and i had natural child birth with both of them and the 2nd i had to have pitocin i couldn't stand the fact that i wouldn't be able to feel my body some women even have chronic back pain for years after having an epidural my suggestion is to research it on the web and yes putting the question to people who have been there before and had it done good luck

Answer 6

When they administer the epidural, it feels like somebody is piching you very hard in the lower back. But as it takes effect, it feels like your lower body is full-numb asleep. You can still feel sensations...but there is no pain. It's pretty funky.

I had an epidural twice...each time for a scheduled C-section. It's definitely the way to go! =)

Answer 7

its feels like a little poke and then you feel a little pressure after that nothing you dont even feel the medicine going in.but heres a little tip some people have a allergic reaction to it and start itching there body allover.and also it might make you a little stiff a couple days when you get home.oh also they will do the epidural during a contraction you'll be so focused on the contraction and breathing you want even feel it

Answer 8

Some woman say the needle hurts when it first goes in, I didnt feel anything.
Then it feels cold up your back, your toes start to get tingly and warm and then soon enough you can't move or feel your legs...
And if it ends up working properly you should feel VERY little beneath your boobs

Answer 9

Very mild pinch, and then blessed relief - at least that's what the women whose deliveries I've assisted have said. Puedentals and saddle blocks are good, too.

Answer 10

you sit on the edge of the bed and lean forward. you feel cold when they rub the spot with alc`ohol and than dont move but youll feel a little pinch and really thats all. than you feel pain relieved.