I am so fearful of getting an EPIDURAL, i heard you wont feel nothing but pressure.?

Question

Im scarred of getting it in

Answer 1

Epidurals aren't compulsary so chances are you're getting yourself worked up over nothing. At any rate, no they don't hurt if they are done properly. You are given a local anesthetic first to numb the area and then the actual epidural

Answer 2

No one is forcing you to have an epidural! Just relax and breath. Okay.
I waited until my 4th child to try epidural and it was wonderful for labor and delivery, but took a long while to have the effects wear off. I would not have known how to push or help the doctors if I hadn't had natural childbirth first. And if I were to have another child, which is no longer possible, I would not do it again. But this is a personal choice and you should feel confident that what ever you choose is right for you.
You do have contractions that can become painful before they will do the epidural, and usually once it is in place you feel no pain but will feel pressure during the birth. There are risks involved with epidural such as wrong placement or too much medication but that is rare. The after effects can be headaches, back pain, nerve involvement or nothing at all.
Ask your doctor or the nurses in the office for more information so you can choose what is right for you. Natural childbirth is amazing but painful and you feel everything. I did it 3 times so it can't be that horrible! LOL.

Answer 3

Epidurals can be intimidating. I am a labor and delivery nurse and have seen many put in.

I myself, have not given birth, but I'll tell you, it's not a pleasant experience. I'm not a fan of needles either and definatly want a natural birth however, I'm not planning to be super woman and deal with the pain of going through birth. So most likely I would opt for the epidural.

If you do decide to do the epidural, you will be sitting up on the side of the bed leaning forward so that your spine caves out a little bit. While you are leaning forward have your husband wrap his arms around you and talk to you about something fun that you did together - without making you laugh. The distraction will help a lot. You will have a local anethetic given so you won't feel the pain of the needle going in. The pain of getting an epidural is 2% of the pain of labor. And it's over in 30 seconds.

Answer 4

Don't be scared...the Epidural is from Heaven!!! Seriously, I know I wouldn't have made it without them. Yes, it's not the most comfortable thing in the world while getting it, but yes, it is worth it! The biggest pain is the numbing needle first, it stings like crazy. Then it the epidural part, and yes, there is pressure, but that's it, no pain thanks to the numbing needle first. It's over within a few minutes usually. The hardest part is having to sit up on the table and have them work around the contractions, and trying to sit still while they are doing it and all of a sudden your contraction shows up. Once you get it though it's so much easier go through labor and contractions and pushing. They may have to give you a ballast (not sure if that's how it's spelled) of additional drugs if it starts to wear off. You also cannot get off the table after that (and have to wait a bit after baby) since you cannot walk. They test you out after the baby, one time I tried to stand by fell back on the bed, too soon, not wore off yet. I've had big babies...10 pounds 3 ounces the biggest (and my first), so I know I would have been miserable without it. You can always try to go without, but why put yourself in more pain than you have to. Oh, speaking of pain, as far as the entire labor process, it's true what they say, you know you were in pain, but you cannot remember the pain or how bad it was. Anyway, you'll be fine. I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 5

I have had one bad epidural and one great epidural. If it's done RIGHT, you won't feel anything. My second one was the best. The anesthesiologist applied a lot of pressure to my lower spine to feel for a space. That was the worst of it. He found it, applied the local and then did the epidural and I didn't feel any of it. I had to ask if he was done because I was so uncomfortable from leaning forward on the OR table. I was so surprised and so relieved. It's probably different for everyone since people have different tolerances for pain and anxiety about needles.

Answer 6

I would try to go through it naturally at first then try getting just an iv and see if that takes the edge off. But as far as the epidural they give it to you during a contraction. It feels like a slight bee sting. Don't look at the needle because it is intimidating. It kind of works like when your arm hurts and someone steps on your toes. For a second you forget about your arm

Answer 7

I am 15 weeks preg with #2, had a recent doctor's appointment and asked whether I could get some epidural sooner and to go:)
My contractions were so bad, that I didn't feel the needle or the doctor behind my back, so good luck:)
P.S For the women who were never in labor and are pregnant with #1, congrats, but please dont advise to go natural until you know what that is. I wanted a natural until I was 8cm, and then I couldn't do it anymore. I needed to rest to push the baby out.

Answer 8

I am with you! I don't like the idea of someone sticking a needle into my spine & leaving a small catheter there to continuously administer medication to dull the pain.

The female body is meant to carry a child & bring it into the world naturally, without the help of drugs & medical interventions.

If the thought of an epidural freaks you out, but you want to have medical pain relief, consider having demerol or nubain administered via IV during active labor. You won't be pain free, but the drugs will take the edge off.

For information on labor without epidural, I recommend The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence by Judith Lothian and Charlotte DeVries.

Answer 9

I had a c-section and had the spinal. They lean you forward, as much as you can with a huge belly. And first they gave me a shot of local anesthesia and that one just felt like a little prick. Then they did the one with the big needle and I didn't feel that one at all. I started going numb almost immediately.

Overall it wasn't a big deal, and you're in pain from the contractions that the needle isn't anything. Don't be afraid.

Answer 10

I refuse to get epidurals, I had both mine natural. By the time you can get an epidural, you're almost done anyway. Breathing with the contractions helps. Plus, if they miss and put the needle in the wrong place it can paralyze you, not to mention that all the drugs you get go straight to baby. My babies were both alert from the day they were born, not sleepy for months after. But if you feel that the way to go is epidurals, most of teh time they turn out just fine. I've heard lots and lots of women who were totally and completely happy with it.