How do you feel about an epidural?

Question

I'm undecided if I want an epidural. I think I would enjoy the experience without pain, but I'm a little nervous about it. I haven't done any research on it yet, so I need to collect more facts, I just wondered how other mothers feel about it.

Answer 1

Epidurals are anesthesia syringed directly into your spine. The risks far outweigh the benefits. This is your baby, you can deliver him/her without the aid of a body numbing epidural.
You know once you get the shot, you can't stand up, walk around, squat, get in a tub, take a shower or feel your contractions.
Doing all those other things helps your labor progress, not being able to do them at all leaves you in labor for hours and hours.
Research the negatives, I think you would be surprised at the side effects or long term pain you experience in the needle injection site.
There are plenty of alternatives to the epidural. Talk to your doctor or midwife today about some of them.
good luck.

Oh and by the way, I have had 2 almost 10 lb babies all natural. It can be done. I am not superwoman. It's not that hard. You just have to be sure you can do it, and then you can. If you go into it thinking that it's going to be too hard and painful, then you will be right and you will get an epidural.

Answer 2

I think it's best to keep an open mind about it. I went into labor with the attitude that I would get the epidural only if I couldn't stand the pain. Everyone has a different experience with giving birth. For some it's not painful at all and for others it's extremely painful. (and everything in between) Everyone's body is different so everyone's experience is different too. I have a couple friends who went in scared to death of being in pain so they got the epidural right away...but then it wore off when it came time to push. I waited to get the epidural until it got too intense for me. I still felt my contractions, they were just dulled, and I still felt my baby come out. To be honest the first few hours of labor wasn't painful at all for me, I was glad I waited to get the epidural and I will do it the same way with my next baby.

Answer 3

There are a lot of people who will try to sway you either way, but the fact of the matter is that you need to have a birth experience that will make you the happiest (bearing in mind the health of your baby, of course, so I would recommend against delivering in a tub of pudding or something crazy like that). There are lots of pros and cons to getting an epidural (or any other pain relief option), just as there are pros and cons to going natural. It is important to study each option thoroughly and choose which one is best for you. Also, keep in mind that you can't micromanage your labor, and things change all the time. A good birth plan is one that is flexible.
Personally, I have decided not to get an epidural. I made my decision based mainly on the spiritual experience I hope to have during my labor (and the hormonal high you're supposed to get when its over), and would not judge another woman for making a different choice, so long as that choice isn't ridiculously harmful for the baby. People will talk about a natural birth being healthier, and I suppose it is, but plenty of perfectly healthy, happy babies have been born with epidurals, so I wouldn't stress about it. Its like comparing the health effects of running a 5k or a marathon. Just because the person who ran the 5k ran a lot less than the marathoner, it doesn't mean the 5k person is unhealthy or bad.

Answer 4

I did not get an epidural. I had decided before hand that I definitely did not want to get one unless I had an extremely long labor and just couldn't take it anymore. You really have to go in with the mindset that you really don't want one, and you have to let the staff at the hospital know. Otherwise you will give in. I almost gave in and would have gotten one if it weren't for my nurse that kept encouraging me (I had let her know that I really didn't want to get the epidural). I won't lie. It is a pain like you have never felt before and like you can't imagine. BUT I am soooo glad I did not get the epidural. I feel such a huge sense of pride for being able to give birth naturally, and I truly believe that my baby was better off. She was so alert and wide-eyed from the first moment she was born, and she latched onto the breast right away, so breastfeeding has gone really well. If you're really committed, try to get someone in there to support you like a doula. I probably could not have done it without my husband and the supportive nurse I was lucky to have.

Answer 5

I had an epidural with my son... It took 10 mins to do. I felt not anything however a few strain. They do not even allow you to appear at it. They will sit down you up in mattress and make you curl over and the Doctor places a catheter form needle and injects the treatment. It is valued at it. It made my start very effortless and enjoyable. I do not even don't forget them taking git out. Once your youngster is born matters like that wont be huge. It isn't any worse than getting an IV. It took a couple of hours to be competent to rise up. The first time I received up even though I fainted popping out of the toilet. But, that's what the nurses are for. They will aid you from the time you get there until the time you place your seatbelt directly to go away. Good good fortune!

Answer 6

I don't think I will have one. I look at the fact that my great grandma had five kids all natural, my grandma had seven natural, and my mom had two natural. So I want to follow in there foot steps. Also everything is made to be so easy now I mean 100 years ago it was natural or natural. You didn't really have a choice. But it is definitely the opinion of the person in labor. If you want it go for it but personally I don't think that it would be that great. I want to know what child birth feels like not just a daze of "huh". One bad thing is my aunt had an epidural and didn't feel the baby coming out, my cousin was stuck in the birth canal for like twenty minutes with no one figuring it out. She had a cone head for the first seven months it just would not go away.

Answer 7

I want to get one, but I am a little afraid because I developed a horrible post spinal tap headache after going into the ER where they did a spinal tap on me while pregnant. I was in complete misery for a week. I could not sit up because the spinal fluid that was leaking into my body would give me a horrendous headache when sitting up. This type of headache can occur from an epidural too, but the chance is lower. To fix it, I had to go to see an anesthesiologist whom took a lot of blood from my arm, then put an epidural in my back, and put the blood through the epidural to stop the spinal fluid leak (aka a blood patch)...all while I had the headache. It was a really uncomfortable experience, and I am afraid to go through all of that again after having gave birth. Again the chance is lower, but I am in the same boat as you right now! Good Luck on what you decide!

Answer 8

You'll definitely get both answers here. There will always be people who think the "natural" method is best, and frown on those who use epidurals, as if we somehow cheated, or risked hurting out babies.

I had an epidural, and THANK GOD for that! Before i got it, I felt like I could barely catch my breath in between contractions, and was getting increasingly nauseaus and nervous. My contractions, on a scale of 1-10, were an 8 as far as pain.

After I got it-- it was very quick and merely a bit uncomfortable to get-- I couldn't even FEEL contractions. My total labor was still only 8 hours, and pushed for 30 minutes-- coudn't feel a thing when I was pushing, but I still got her out-- and she was 9lbs, 8oz! So its still definitely possible to push effectively w/an epidural. I was comfortable and able to enjoy the moment of meeting my little one.

I give props to anyone who can get through labor without it, but I certianly dont look down on those who use them!

You dont have to make the decision yet-- but DO tell the hospital when you arrive that you are considering one. That way they make sure an anesthesiologist is available, in case you get to where the pain is unbearable.

Answer 9

It is really a personal decision. I have had one natural birth and 3 c sections so I have had epidurals/spinals. I personally didn't use one for my natural birth. I think they are a waste of money, women have been doing it naturally since the beginning of time. I also had friends who had one and ended up pushing forever, because they couldn't feel enough to push effectively. I pushed for about 30 minutes and he was out. I think that if you go in with the mind set that you are not going to get one, and a game plan then it will be fine. Take a birthing class they are so helpful. They will teach you ways to breathe, focus on other things besides the pain and teach your husband how to help you.

If you want one then that is ok too. It doesn't make you less of a women, you are still giving birth to a child and that is a huge feat in itself. I just personally didn't want one. You will decide and either way will be fine!

Answer 10

Well most of my friends you have had babies did have an epidural-and the ones that didn't were to far in the process and were denied. I would like to go without one, but not because I want to be a hero or anything. I have a fear of what the medication will do to me. I have not had good experiences with several medications in my life and I am afraid of being ill during the delivery as a result of a negative reaction to it. Congrats on the pregnancy.