I have never had any pain meds with my labor and deliveries...?

Question

I am on my third pregnancy and for some reason I am scared shi**less about the labor and birth. I always wanted to do everything natural for the sake of the baby (pain meds slow down the heart rate) and so I did not have to be told when to push. What is an epidural like? I heard good things about them, but no one I talk to seems to remember if there was any back pain after where the needle goes in. I recently had a spinal (due to a surgery I needed to have done) and I will NEVER do that again. I had the worst back pain for days later from that. Is that what an epidural is like?

Answer 1

If you have never had one and had successful births without you may be disappointed with it. It absolutely numbs the pain, but it has some after effects. Your back can hurt and more importantly you are numb for a great deal of time afterwards. I have done both. I was able to enjoy my newborn more immediately after to birth with no drugs in my system. I was more alert and could move freely and comfortably. I felt really out of it for about a day after my epidural. It really comes down to the pain level and sometimes you won't know until you get there. If it is a horrible labor, the after effects may be worth the immediate relief. Sounds like you are a seasoned professional. Go into it with options. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I loved my epidural, and knew when I got preg that I would get one. Pain meds can sometimes slow down the heart rate, but if you have a good nurse and anesthesiologist they will catch it right away and back your pain meds off(had to do this w/ me). My anesthesiologist was great, he explained what he was doing and the different things I may/may not feel while he was doing it.
I was ok w/ my hubby telling me when to push, I was pretty numb but I could still feel how hard I was pushing which was great. I never had any back pain where the needle went in at all.
There are goods and bads w/ epidurals just like anything, you can get a spinal headache(I never had this)and apparently it feels like a migraine, the epidural meds can shift off to one side and not numb all of your lower body(in this case they would have you shift your body to the side that isn't numb), and epidurals can also get confused and travel up your body instead of down(which is NOT good). Most likely if you get an epidural your nurse and anesthesiologist will stay with you for 15-20 mins after everything is in place to make sure things are going the way they should be. Good luck & hope this helped!

Answer 3

My epidural was a Godsend. My son was quite stubborn and decided to takle a look on the way out, which caused me to need an emerceny c-section. The epidural was a big blessing through the labor of trying to move him out and then having him pushed back in to straighten him out. I never felt the needle, only pressure, ( I have a fear of needles). The spinal was wonderful, and I never had any after effects from either. I have heard of getting headaches and such, but I had no troubles at all after the meds. Everyone reacts differently, but if you don't want one, don't get it. You already had previous deliveries with out it you porbably will not need it. Good luck!

Answer 4

Epidurals are not supposed to give back pain, but they can. Spinals (saddle blocks) puncture the dura and the medication is injected directly into the spinal fluid/spinal cord space. Often, some spinal fluid will leak out and knock off the equilibrium surrounding the spinal cord - this causes the spinal cord to sag a little and that gives the woman a headache.

With epidurals, it is inserted about 1 inch higher on the back (between the L3 and L4) and the catheter is fed to directly BEFORE the dura - so, spinal fluid should have no hole to leak from IDEALLY. But, often, the needle that is fed into the back to run the catheter through can puncture the dura or even knick it, and then spinal fluid CAN leak out. Then, you may get a headache from it.

Residual back pain is common with both. If you had back pain with one, you will probably get back pain with the other - your body makeup might just preclude you to it.

Personally, the benefits of medication don't outweigh the risks FOR ME - I have natural childbirths.

Good luck and congratulations! :o)

Answer 5

I know a lady personally that had an epidural for a hip replacement. That was in April '06. She still has pain and numbness in her leg from the epidural. Last year it was in the local paper about a lady in labor, the doctor goofed and gave her too much medication in her epidural. I never heard if she walked again or not; her legs were paralyzed for days. If you need a c-sec, general anestesia is probably safer.

Answer 6

Dont be scared!! I've had three babies all without any pain relief. I was more scared with the third too, you remember how painful it was with the other two!!! I dont think an epidural would be beneficial for you as you've had two without any pain relief. I've heard you have to be told when to push with an epi, when you do it naturally you feel when to push, you're in control, you can feel your baby being born. With an epidural it may make you feel as if your not in control, and I know personally I would hate that feeling.

Answer 7

I've done it both ways, and there are advantages and disadvantages to getting one. I didn't notice any pain the first time, but the second epidural (8 1/2 months ago) if I bend back to stretch or one of my other kids get on my back in the right spot, I can feel a bit of pain.

Answer 8

that is somewhat what a epidural is like. some women feel it some women dont. if you went 2 preg. w/o an epidural you can do it again. i had the epidural with my 1st daughter and i didnt like it. it prolonged my labor. (14 hours total) and i was numb all over couldnt feel nothing and the dr had to use that suction thing to get her out cuse i really couldnt push. so with my last 2 kids i went natural. its the best thing to feel everything cuse really you dont remember it once the baby is finally here. good luck and congrats.

Answer 9

I was once prompted with my moment son he was once eight one million/two lbs and I did want discomfort meds. My first son I did all typical and he was once 10 one million/two kilos and I will let you know inspite of discomfort meds the induction was once a lot more difficult and painful exertions. I mentioned I might in no way do it once more however wager what I am forty one wks pregnant and I am going to be prompted once more on Thursday..I wager you'll in no way say in no way peculiarly whilst you've been prego perpetually....

Answer 10

i recently had my 1st baby, feb 20. i had an epidural and not only did it not provide me with adequate pain management it hurt like hell when they inserted the catheder and i still have back pain. good luck :)