epidural...?

Question

I am 13 weeks and I know I have a while but I am terrified of getting an epidural. I am afraid if i get one I will jump or move when they do it. and ive read of people being paralyzed because of it. Is it painful? and how long does it take for them to administer it also are there any alternatives?

Answer 1

I was the same way, i was scared to death to get one. But when I was in labor and in pain from contractions I told them to bring them in to do it. It did not hurt at all...they numb the area they stick the needle in....I didnt feel a thing until the very very end when he said I would feel cramping for a second, and I did, it was very brief and i am SOOOOO glad I got one, I could not imagine having done it without. The nurse sat in front of me and held my hands and I was afraid of the same thing, jumping or any small movement...but I honestly did not feel a thing...and having the nurse hold my hands and talk me through it helped....but it was not painful and it made my labor so much more enjoyable because I was not screaming in pain. And my sister in law made me feel better about it because she works at a hospital and she said in the 7 years she has worked there that not ONE person has been paralyzed from it....its VERY rare...but I was the same way as you...it turned out great though!

Answer 2

The entire time I was pregnant I had already made up my mind that I wouldn't get an epidural just b/c the thought of a needle near my spine freaked me out. But that all changed after about 7 hours of non-stop contractions. By that time, I was begging for one! All of my past fears just flew right out the window and all I could think of was making the pain go away! When I finally did get it, I couldn't really even feel it b/c all that I could feel were the contractions, and it was such a relief afterwards when I could finally breath and relax. It really helped get my energy back up so that I could push. I'm sure the next time I have one I will get an epidural again. As far as your fears, paralysis after an epidural is very rare. Some women may have very temporary paralysis or get a headache afterwards, but that's usually the worst of it. If you are very concerned, then maybe later when you are further along you could schedule to speak w/ the anesthesiologist, that way they can explain to you how the procedure actually works and what risks there are. Trust me, it's not as bad as it seems

Answer 3

I was scared to have one also. As soon as I went into labor and started having contractions I changed my mind. They administer the epidural while you are having contractions. I was also afraid that I would move, but it only took a second for them to put in. It took more time to set up to put it in that it did to administer. It felt like a warm bee sting and then it didn't hurt. I was aftaid I would be totally numb and unable to push. It wasn't like that though. It was a heavy feeling in my legs. There was no numbness either. I could still move my legs (it wasn't easy and I wouldn't have tried to walk). I could also still feel contractions, but there was no pain. I knew everytime I had one. The worst part about it was the next day. The site where all the tape had been was sore.

I don't remember a whole lot about the alternatives. Are you planning to take a child birth education class? They went over all the medications, how they work and how they feel in the class I took.

I was so nervous about labor. I wasn't too worried about pregnancy or being a mother but the labor process terrified me. It wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined. I had a great nurse that explained everything as we went.

What you imagine is worse that any thing else. Try to relax and enjoy being pregnant.

Answer 4

You feel a pinch of the long needle going in your back. Almost no pain at all from the injection. Ask if you can have something before to ease the pain. I had Demerol thru IV for lower back pain, so by the time i got my epidural, I already buzzed!!! Pushed that lil girl out in 2 hours!! The pain will wear off, but while you give birth, ask your nurse or doc for compression hose on you legs. Keeps the chill out and the pain goes right to the floor. You'll be pain free and walking in no time after having that baby!!!! Good luck, hope I didn't scare you too bad :)))

Answer 5

I had to have surgery done at 18 weeks and had an epidural. The epidural was the worst part of the whole experience. He told me to try and not jump- which I did. The room was so cold I couldn't stop shivering the whole time which the time seemed as if it was never going to end. I am hoping that when it comes to delivery time, that I do not have to get an epidural if it is not necessary. One more thing that I did not like was that when it wore off, I puked numerous times over the next day which they told me it was normal for some people's bodies to react this way.

Answer 6

Ok I have not had an epidural or any type of medication during labor with my first (of course every pregnancy is diffrent). But I know several people that the Dr's could not find the correct spot, and ended up sticking the women over and over in the back mind you, to find the correct location. Now I am aware this does not happen all the time, but it is something to keep in mind. Personally the risks associated with epidurals were too great for me to take the risk.
Good Luck you will make the right choice.

Answer 7

i had an epidural with both of my pregnancys. it doesnt really hurt, and it only takes a minutes or two. the story of people getting paralyzed had something to do with the way the doctors used to do it. epidurals are so common now days its like nothing. so dont be scared. another piece of advise is, if you have to get induce and you want the epidural, get it done before they break your water. that hurts too.

Answer 8

I didn't have an epidural. I chose to just have pain meds through my IV. It relaxed me a lot and that's all I needed.

Answer 9

My mom was in the delivery room with me and I was in so much pain with contractions...when the anesthisialogist (spelling) came in with the Epidural, I said NO I DON"T WANT IT!! My mom said, do you want to feel another contraction, or do you want the damn epidural. Then another contraction came and I said...Give me the freaking thing!!! So you will change your mind...I promise ;)

Answer 10

They can give you medication in an IV such as demerol.. pain meds.. that one makes you sleep basically. Me, myself.. I am 32 weeks pregnant and I am going allll natural.. I want to feel my baby come into this world and I want to be awake and aware of everything. :) I've had alot of people tell me natural is not as bad as alot of women make it seem. As long as your not afraid and just think of the bundle of joy at the end it is possible to go natural.
And yes epidural cause alot of problems.. Migrains, bruising, numb for hours after, possible paralyzation, and many more.