what does an epidural feel like?

Question

I know it's pain relief, but is it numb the way your foot is numb when it goes to sleep? Does it make your lower body feel al heavy where you can't move it? Did that bother you at all?

Answer 1

Mine didn't work to great. But when they were putting it in, I was contracting and I was leaning over my bed hugging a pillow and knew if I moved with my contractions I'd be in a lot of trouble. So when they put the first needle in to locally dull that pain, that felt like a really bad bee sting. They waited a few minutes and did another local deeper down. I couldn't really feel anything else with them putting it in after that other than like someone was tapping me like I had a nail sticking out of me and they were tapping me with a hammer.
With the epidural I could move my legs and lower body just fine but I felt like I was under water and my legs were heavy. It also made me really itchy which they said was a side effect of the injection and said if it became a problem that they would decrease the amount and so I didn't say another word. :) I'll just itch thanks. It didn't do much for me other than take some of the strength out of the contractions. When it came time to push, I was too late with adding the extra bolace which I didn't know I could do until then. So it had worn off pretty much when it came time to push. (if you get one, remember there's a button to push to give you some extra comfort).
I felt totally weird. I hated it and I'll never have one again.

Answer 2

Epidural totally numbs the lower half of your body. You can't feel or move your legs. That is if done properly. They stuck me in the wrong place 3 times, so the second time, I could only feel half of my lower body. That half still felt pain from the contractions, and the other half was numb. It was worse than the contraction with nothing. They did finally get me in the right place and it stopped the pain. There are downsides. You need help holding your legs up to have the baby, and you can't feel any pressure to push, so they have to tell you when. Also, they permanently damaged the upper left quarter of my back. Its been 15 years and I have occasional pain to this day. I had my first child with an epidural, my second with no drugs at all at a birth center. No drugs was actually easier for me than the epidural.

Answer 3

If you are having bad contractions and contstant pain like I was the pain of the epidural is like an ant biting you compared to the labour. I have a phobia where I have to be able to move and feel my limbs or I go crazy but after getting the epidural I'm ok Your body is numb and it does make it feel heavy. It bothered me a little as to the condition above and I kept trying to move my feet and things... but hey that helped pass the time. The worst part was wondering whether I would ever be able to feel anything again, but hey you do!!

Answer 4

I had an epidural. It took 9 times to get the needle in the right spot. That was the worst part. My whole bottom half of my body was numb (I couldn't feel a thing). I never felt tingly until it wore off (after giving birth) but I could feel vibrations sometimes. I had an extra dose of meds during the labor/contractions phase. I couldn't move a muscle which made it hard to push. Next time, I will still definitely get an epidural but not request an extra dose so I can have better feeling and know when to push.

Answer 5

For first pregnancy they take their time before giving you an epidural because they want to make sure that you have dilated atleast till 4 on your own and they estimate how many more hours will it be to reach 10.
By the time they agree and give you one, where they give, how they give it becomes immaterial.. you just are glad that you could go through contractions without all that discomfort and are able to take a groggy nap and breathe normally until they come and decide you have dilated decent enough and is time for you to push. They stop the epidural dosage so that you can start feeling your contractions and know when to push.
At that time, all the rest you got bcoz of epidural and the experience of contraction pain you endured before epidural act together to help you push the baby out. Trust your doctors and trust yourself, you will be ok. Good luck.

Answer 6

It's not bad at all. I didn't get an epidural until I was 6.5 cm dialated. It allowed me to take a rest and a little nap somewhat before it was time to have the baby. You will not be able to move around alot simply because the needle is connected to you and in addition, you are hooked up to an IV if you have an epidural. Your legs will feel a bit heavy but it's really not that bad. Best of luck to you and congratulations.

Answer 7

Well... I took an epidural for my 1st child's delivery. I felt really uncomfortable when they inserted the needle. It gave me relief, and I couldn't feel the pain in my lower body. But... I DO NOT recommend the epidural because my back hurt me alot after I had my 1st child. For the pain I avoided during my labor, I ended up having severe backaches after having the baby. For my other 2 kids, I chose to go without the epidural, and it was a wise decision... atleast for me.

Answer 8

i had a c-section and was given a spinal. since an epidural leaves a catheter in i assume its a bit different but not far off.

with the spinal i couldn't move my lower body at all. i could feel things but it was just as if my leg was asleep and i was being touched, there was no tingling at all.. epidural would probably be the same when it comes to touch. from what i've heard though you are able to actually move your legs with an epidural. don't quote me on that as i'm not sure.

Answer 9

Well for me the actual needle of the epidural did not hurt at all. Didn't feel a thing when they put it in.
After about 10 minutes or so, my legs started to feel cold and heavy, Next thing you know it was really hard to lift my legs. I really don't think I got the full effect of it though, because everyone who I have talked to that got one said they could not move their legs and feet at all. I could still (with a lot of effort ) move my legs and feet. It didn't bother me at all. After I got it, I was finally comfortable for the time being. Then they shut it off before I started pushing, I was pushing for 2 hours so it was wore off by the time she came out.

The only thing that bothered me about the epidural was after my daughter came out they left the catheder in my back for what seemed like hours, I reached back there to itch my back and I could feel the tube in my back, then it bothered me knowing there was a tube coming out of my back.

Answer 10

When you get an epidural it makes you feel alot better.you can't feel anything below your waist yes in a sense it kinda feels heavy but it is very comforatable and it doesnt feel like when your legs go to sleep not to me anyway...it did not bother me at all it actually was a relieve to not feel those painful contractions and it worked almost instantly.Trust me you won't regret having one it would be one of your best decisions.
GOOD LUCK!!!